US to Trial Urban Air Taxis Across Eight Regions This Summer

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced a three-year pilot program to test ultralight and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft—often described as 'flying cars'—in eight regions starting as early as June, carrying passengers and cargo before full FAA certification. Companies including Archer Aviation, Beta Technologies, Joby Aviation, and Electra will demonstrate aircraft that require little space to take off and land, potentially offering quieter, cheaper, and lower-emission options with some autonomous capabilities. The FAA stresses the program is to inform future standards and policy, not bypass certification, as the industry eyes a broader deployment by 2028 and competition with international efforts in China and Dubai.