The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) demonstrated next-generation aircraft on Thursday at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport in Texas.
The program creates real-world testing environments for next-generation aircraft such as autonomous flight technologies, cargo and logistics networks, emergency medical response operations, offshore and energy-sector transportation, regional passenger transportation and urban air taxi services. The program consists of eight projects in 26 states in conjunction with aircraft manufacturers, operators and state partners. The Federal Aviation Administration will use
data from the pilot projects to develop new regulations.
“Advanced Air Mobility vehicles are the future of aviation and these demonstrations in Texas are critical to getting us there,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said. “The FAA is leveraging data from test flights in Texas and across the country to ensure these new aircraft integrate safely into the airspace.”
The demonstration, the first in Texas and the sixth under the initiative, is part of a project to develop regional air taxi flights connecting Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and eventually Houston. The airport partnered with the Texas Department of Transportation, BETA, and Joby.
Joby’s aircraft will fly roundtrip to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on Saturday to test flight operations between major airports.