DRIVING THE NEWS: Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unleashes Innovation, Taps Eight Programs to Test Next-Gen Aircraft in America’s Skies

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the eight proposals that were selected as part of the brand-new Advanced Air Mobility and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). The eight selected projects span 26 states and involve leading aircraft manufacturers, operators, and state partners.

See what leading policymakers, industry partners and state officials are saying below: 

Ethan Klein, U.S. Chief Technology Officer:
“Flying cars are coming to a city near you! The 8 projects span 26 states and a range of concepts:

• Urban air taxis
• Cargo and logistics
• Emergency response
• Autonomous flight
• Energy-sector transport

We wanted flying cars, and thanks to President Trump, we’re getting them!”

U.S. Sen. John Curtis (Utah):  
“The U.S. is leading the future of flight, and Utah is at the center of that innovation. Congratulations to the Utah Department of Transportation on being selected for the FAA’s new Advanced Air Mobility pilot program! This first-of-its-kind initiative will bring next-gen aircraft and high-paying jobs to Utah and will help prepare our state to hold a successful Winter Olympics in 2034.”

U.S. Rep. Mike Kennedy (UT-03): 
“Utah has been selected by Secretary Duffy and the FAA as a pilot site for next-generation electric aircraft. I led the multi-state letter to USDOT, and this is exactly the outcome Utah worked for. eVTOL tech is transforming aviation, and Utah is now one of the eight states tasked to lead. That means high-quality jobs, major investment, and a direct role in shaping the future of aviation. America wins when Utah leads.”

Marc Williams, Executive Director of Texas Department of Transportation:
“Thank you to President Trump and Secretary Duffy for selecting Texas for one of eight new Advanced Air Mobility pilot programs. Under this initiative, Texas DOT and industry partners will develop regional air taxi flights connecting Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and eventually Houston.”

Jared W. Perdue, Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation:
“Thank you Secretary Duffy and the FAA. Florida is ready to deliver and bring highways to the sky. The future is now!”

Adam Goldstein, Founder and CEO of Archer:
“This is the clearest sign yet from the White House, the FAA and the DOT that bringing air taxis to market in the United States is a real priority. We appreciate Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford’s leadership and are excited to bring Midnight to the skies of some of America’s largest cities.”

Kyle Clark, Founder and CEO of BETA Technologies:
“The eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) shows what's possible when regulators and industry work together to accelerate the path to safe and reliable advanced air mobility. We are eager to join forces with our government and operator partners to put this technology to work. Together, we will fly critical cargo and medical missions, prove the model, and showcase how electric aviation can reliably serve communities across the country, including rural and underserved areas. With the eIPP, we can now bring these aircraft into commercial operations and establish a blueprint for scaling advanced air mobility into the future.”

Marc Allen, CEO of Electra:
“This is an historic moment in Advanced Air Mobility, as Electra stands shoulder to shoulder with others in the space to chart a course that will transform the way we travel. Our entire team thanks President Trump, Secretary Duffy, and Administrator Bedford for their visionary leadership to accelerate the adoption of AAM.”

JoeBen Bevirt, Founder & CEO of Joby Aviation:
“Today marks the culmination of nearly a decade of collaboration between Joby and the FAA to bring a new class of aircraft safely to market. It is the moment the United States clears the way for eVTOL integration into our national airspace. By launching the eIPP, the Administration has shown decisive leadership, recognizing that to win this global race, we can’t just innovate, we have to execute. This program reflects a clear commitment at the highest levels of government to American competitiveness, and it proves that when Washington and American industry align, we can build the future right here at home. Joby has spent years preparing for this day, and we are ready to deliver for the American people.”

Robert Rose, CEO and Co-Founder of Reliable Robotics:
“Selection for the competitive eIPP demonstrates the focus of President Donald J. Trump’s administration on leveraging aircraft autonomy to enhance aviation safety and United States competitiveness. The technology we’re certifying with the FAA will enhance the safety of regional air cargo operations and demonstrate that large UAS can be integrated into controlled airspace. This will connect more communities with air service while accelerating Reliable’s mission to make aviation safer and more accessible.”

Sebastien Vigneron, CEO of Wisk:
“Wisk celebrates today's announcement by U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Duffy and the FAA on the selections for the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), including the Texas Department of Transportation. This announcement is a testament to the DOT's and FAA's commitment to allowing innovation to flourish. Wisk's Gen 6 operations in Texas will provide key regulatory and policy insights to execute the AAM National Strategy and ensure safe certification and integration of autonomous operations into the National Airspace System. Insights from the eIPP will extend beyond Texas to validate the entire digital and physical ecosystem needed to safely scale our operations. Participating in this program will further cement U.S. leadership in autonomy.”

Michael Robbins, President & CEO of Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International:
“This Administration is opening the door for an American company to demonstrate how hybrid-electric propulsion works at scale, to reimagine how we use the skies, and to change the way that people get to where they want to go. It’s American innovation at its best, and it showcases how Electra’s Ultra Short has become an essential part of the AAM landscape. eIPP is the bridge from promise to practice, turning advanced air mobility from prototypes into repeatable, safe operations that communities can trust. This is how we build regulatory confidence: real operations, real data, and clear performance standards. Advanced air mobility will deliver tangible value—faster emergency response, smarter logistics, and new connectivity—while meeting an uncompromising safety bar. eIPP puts us on that path by testing real use cases and building a blueprint others can replicate.”

Ed Bolen, President & CEO of National Business Aviation Association:
“NBAA welcomes this exciting announcement of the key partners and programs helping to further our industry’s adoption and utilization of AAM. These efforts will help catalyze the sector’s growth, bringing tremendous benefits to our nation’s aviation industry, including business aviation, and maintaining our country’s leadership in the next generation of aerospace.”

Greg Pecoraro, President & CEO of National Association of State Aviation Officials:
“NASAO is very pleased for the eight state, regional, and local government agencies and their partners whose proposals were selected out of so many outstanding projects for the eIPP. We are especially pleased at the selection of the proposal led by the Pennsylvania DOT’s Bureau of Aviation on behalf of several states participating in NASAO’s AAM Multistate Collaborative. We are excited to watch as all these projects move forward to help Advanced Air Mobility begin achieving its potential to increase access to the nation’s aviation system.”

François Lassale, President & CEO Vertical Aviation International:
“Vertical aviation is entering a new phase of innovation, and programs like the eIPP help ensure that progress occurs within a disciplined, safety-focused framework. We appreciate the leadership of the administration and Secretary Duffy in moving quickly to establish these pilot partnerships and advance the safe integration of new aircraft and operational models.” 

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