New States, Aircraft Confirmed for FAA’s AAM Test Program

Pennsylvania will lead a consortium of 18 participants and test at least one eVTOL not previously announced.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 04:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Pivotal confirmed its participation in the 26-state program and revealed previously unannounced testing locations. [Credit: Pivotal]

Key Takeaways:

Several states and eVTOL developer Pivotal confirmed their participation in the FAA’s three-year, 26-state Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) test program, which aims to demonstrate air taxis, cargo drones, and other eVTOL applications.
Led by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the "Multistate Collaborative eIPP (MSCE)" now encompasses 18 states—including previously unannounced participants like California, Massachusetts, and Illinois—along with various infrastructure providers, universities, and operators.
The program's core objectives are to create a testing "sandbox" for AAM aircraft, identify unmet needs in areas like cargo and medical logistics, and ensure that these new technologies are economically viable and accessible across the country, particularly in underserved "heartland" regions.

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Several states and at least one new OEM on Tuesday confirmed their participation in the FAA’s three-year, 26-state advanced air mobility (AAM) test program.

The U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) in March revealed the eight lead eIPP participants but did not name all 26 states expected to host air taxi, cargo drone, and other demonstrations under the program. It said one lead agency, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), will work with 13 unnamed states to “revitalize regional flights across the country, including routes similar to those supported through the Essential Air Service program.”