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:

An autonomous Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, operated by Reliable Robotics, has commenced test flights at Albuquerque International Sunport under the federal eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).
The eIPP aims to gather critical data for the FAA to develop certification standards and facilitate the safe integration of novel advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft, including autonomous and remotely piloted systems, into U.S. airspace.
Reliable Robotics' "Reliable Autonomy System" (RAS) enables auto-taxi, auto-takeoff, and auto-landing, supervised by a remote pilot, with the goal of achieving reduced-crew operations and certified commercial cargo services.
This three-year program involves multiple companies and locations across the U.S., expanding test flights to various regional airports to establish regulatory pathways for future autonomous air cargo and general aviation applications.

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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.