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:

A new Oklahoma City facility, V-PAR, has broken ground to serve as a dedicated proving ground for larger electric and hybrid Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft, such as passenger-carrying air taxis.
V-PAR's core mission is to develop essential standards and procedures, conduct comprehensive flight testing and data analysis, and provide workforce training for the safe integration of AAM into the national airspace.
This facility is a critical step in the U.S. government's AAM National Strategy, aiming to position the nation as a global leader in advanced air mobility by ensuring high safety standards and efficient integration.

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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.