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 safely integrate Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft, including eVTOL air taxis and self-flying planes, into U.S. airspace.
The program calls for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to partner with U.S.-based private sector AAM developers to propose at least five pilot projects demonstrating specific public benefit use cases.
The three-year eIPP aims to generate critical data and experience to shape national policy, FAA guidance, and regulations for future commercial AAM operations.
Major eVTOL developers like Joby, Archer, Beta, and Wisk have already expressed their intent to participate, highlighting the program's significance for advancing the industry.

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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.