How FAA’s eVTOL Pilot Could Transform U.S. Air Travel

State, local, tribal, and territorial governments can participate in the program alongside private sector partners.

Jack Daleo

Friday, September 12, 2025 at 03:45 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Beta Technologies is developing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variants of its electric Alia. [Courtesy: Beta Technologies]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Department of Transportation and FAA are launching the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) to accelerate the safe integration of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft, including eVTOL air taxis and self-flying planes, into U.S. airspace.
The eIPP aims to gather critical data and experience from operational testing to inform national policies, regulations, and best practices for future commercial AAM services, emphasizing the demonstration of public benefits.
State, local, tribal, and territorial governments, in partnership with U.S.-based AAM developers (such as Joby, Archer, Beta, and Wisk), are invited to submit proposals, with at least five projects expected to be selected and begin operations within 90 days.

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The U.S. Department of Transportation and FAA are launching a series of pilot programs for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis, self-flying planes, short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft, and other advanced air mobility (AAM) technology.

On Friday, the FAA called on state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to submit proposals for operational testing of these uncertified aircraft. The governments and their private sector partners will vie for at least five projects under the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP)—a three-year, White House-directed initiative to safely integrate AAM aircraft into U.S. airspace.