Overview

• The FAA opened the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program to enable supervised, pre‑certification trial operations of electric air taxis in real‑world settings.
• Selected projects must partner with state, local, tribal or territorial governments and can run up to three years across passenger, cargo, emergency response and automation safety use cases.
• Pilots could start as early as 2026, with results intended to inform broader advanced air mobility regulation and operational frameworks.
• Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation said they will apply; Archer is exploring trials with United Airlines and interested cities, while Joby cited progress toward FAA type certification and expanded manufacturing in California and Ohio.
• The initiative follows a June executive order from President Trump, and shares of Joby and Archer rose after the announcement.