FAA Building Air Taxi Research Hub in Oklahoma City

Agency’s Vertical Takeoff and Landing Procedures and Analysis Range (V-PAR) could come online next summer.

Jack Daleo

Friday, June 26, 2026 at 01:00 PM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

FAA’s Vertical Takeoff and Landing Procedures and Analysis Range (V-PAR) could open next summer. [Credit: FAA]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Department of Transportation broke ground on V-PAR in Oklahoma City, a new proving ground dedicated to testing larger electric and hybrid aircraft, such as passenger-carrying air taxis.
V-PAR's main objective is to develop essential standards, procedures, and safety protocols for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft to ensure their safe integration into the National Airspace System.
The facility will serve as a central hub for flight testing, data analysis, and AAM workforce training, researching areas like flight routes, emergency planning, and the environmental impacts of VTOL operations.
This initiative is a critical component of the government's AAM National Strategy, aiming to establish the U.S. as a global leader in advanced air mobility.

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A Transportation Department (DOT) contractor this week broke ground on a new Oklahoma City facility that officials say will be a dedicated proving ground for electric and hybrid aircraft technology.

Unlike the various FAA-authorized uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) test sites spread across the country, which study small drones, the agency’s Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Procedures and Analysis Range (V-PAR) is intended for bigger aircraft, such as passenger-carrying air taxis.