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U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has flown in an eVTOL aircraft as federal officials launch a new advanced air mobility testing programme across America.
The demonstration flight took place at the Vermont headquarters of Beta Technologies and coincided with the launch of a new federal pilot programme intended to support the integration of advanced air mobility aircraft into the U.S. airspace system.
Announced jointly by Duffy and the Federal Aviation Administration, the eIPP initiative will oversee eight projects across 26 states covering passenger transport, cargo logistics, emergency medical services, autonomous flight technologies and offshore transport operations.
The programme is expected to create one of the world's largest real-world testing environments for advanced air mobility aircraft, providing operational data that will help shape future FAA regulations.
“This is the kind of innovation I love to see: technology that's going to fundamentally improve how people and products move. Beta Technologies is one of many great American companies making sure the United States leads the way in this exciting technology. From emergency organ transplants to regional air travel, these next generation aircraft have so many revolutionary applications,” says Duffy. “The future of flight is coming. The Trump Administration will continue to do our part to support the safe integration of these innovations into our airspace.”
Beta Technologies is developing both electric conventional take-off and landing aircraft and eVTOL aircraft, alongside a nationwide charging network intended to support future operations.
The eIPP programme stems from President Trump's Unleashing Drone Dominance Executive Order and forms part of a broader push to maintain U.S. leadership in emerging aviation technologies.
The initiative builds on the national advanced air mobility strategy launched by Duffy and the FAA in December, which outlined 40 recommendations aimed at supporting the safe and efficient deployment of advanced air mobility operations.
