Autonomous Cessna Flies in New Mexico Under Federal Program

Modified 208B Grand Caravan begins demonstrations at Albuquerque International Sunport under federal program.

Jack Daleo

Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 01:30 PM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan equipped with Reliable Robotics’ gate-to-gate automation system has begun activities under a federal program designed to collect data on the technology. [Credit: Reliable Robotics]

Key Takeaways:

Autonomous flights by Reliable Robotics' Cessna Caravan have begun at Albuquerque International Sunport, kicking off a federal eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) project.
These operations aim to gather critical data for the FAA to develop certification standards and safely integrate advanced air mobility (AAM) and autonomous aircraft into the national airspace.
The trials are part of a broader U.S. initiative, involving multiple companies and airports, to pave the way for reduced-crew operations and expand autonomous aviation technology into areas like regional air cargo services.

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At Albuquerque International Sunport (KABQ), an autonomous Cessna 208B Grand Caravan has begun operating under a federal program designed to generate data on novel advanced air mobility aircraft.

The AAM activities began at the Sunport, New Mexico’s largest commercial airport that handles joint-use military and civilian traffic within Class C airspace. But they will soon expand to other airports in the region as general aviation and business aviation locations become a testing ground for future aviation technology.