WASHINGTON (Reuters)-Donald Trump’s government has announced a new pilot program on Friday (12) to accelerate the implementation of air taxis as companies work to meet the regulatory obstacles of advanced air mobility.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the program will include at least five public-private partnership projects with state and local governments and private sector companies to enable safe operations for Electric Desting and Vertical Terristers (EVTOL) aircraft.
Joby Aviation has praised the program, saying that “program aircraft can start operating in selected markets before complete FAA certification, an essential step in preparing for scale commercial service.”
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Aerial taxi actions went up with the program reported for the first time by Reuters. Joby’s shares rose 5%, while Archer Aviation those rose 3%.
Air taxi companies are running to obtain approvals and market air taxi aircraft to meet the growing demand for faster and sustainable urban transport. They promote Evtols that can take off and land vertically to transport travelers to airports or short trips around the city, allowing them to avoid traffic.
President Donald Trump determined the creation of the program in June through a decree.
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Several other countries, including India, China and the United Arab Emirates, are working to accelerate the implementation of EvTols, which can start transporting paying passengers next year.
FAA chief Bryan Bedford said the agency will take advantage of the lessons learned from pilot projects to enable safe operations across the country.
Projects are expected to include short-range air taxis, long-range fixed, load and logistics fixed wing flights, as well as emergency management supplies, medical transport or offshore power installations.
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Participants will use piloted advanced air mobility, optionally piloted or non -manned that will generally have more than 599 kg and will be able to carry passengers, as well as using technologies that allow the safe integration of these aircraft in the national airspace system.
FAA completed the comprehensive training and pilot certification rules to fly on air taxis in October 2024.
