Florida recently completed its first demonstration flights as part of the Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), making it the seventh location to launch under the initiative.
The program was designed to test eVTOLs, autonomous planes, and drone technology and began testing advanced air mobility vehicles and their real-world applications in March. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may use the data from the pilot projects to develop new regulations.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Joby and BETA Technologies conducted flights to test cargo deliveries and routes over the Tampa Bay area. The test flights were for Joby’s S4 electric eVTOL aircraft and BETA’s Alia CX300 electric Conventional Takeoff and Landing (eCTOL) aircraft.
“Florida is helping safely integrate these new aircraft into the airspace system and prove that the next great era of American aviation is already here,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said. “Each flight provides crucial data and lessons learned that will help establish safety standards for everyday operations.”
FDOT will be conducting flight tests in several locations throughout central Florida this month with Electra. Other eIPP participants also are planning test flights in the near future.
There are eight projects in 28 states planned as part of the eIPP program.