Overview
- Eight three‑year pilot projects were approved to expand real‑world testing of electric aircraft across 26 states as early as June 2026.
- Use cases span urban air taxis, regional passenger links, cargo logistics, emergency response missions, and autonomous operations.
- Participating companies include Archer, Beta Technologies, Joby Aviation, Wisk, Electra, Ampaire, Elroy Air, and Reliable Robotics.
- Public–private partnerships anchor the pilots, with projects led by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Texas, Utah, Pennsylvania, Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, and the city of Albuquerque.
- The FAA says the program will inform future policy and safety standards while requiring aircraft to be in the formal type‑certification process, and early selections have accelerated company timelines and lifted shares, including a near 12% jump for Beta.