Authored by Rob Sabo via The Epoch Times(emphasis ours),

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced on March 9 that it had selected eight out of 30 proposals to participate in its Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).

The eight projects span work across 26 states and include a range of public entities and private companiesdeveloping operational concepts in urban and regional air taxi and transportation services, cargo and logistics, emergency medical response, autonomous flight, and energy transportation. Data compiled from the various projects will help the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) better understand the challenges associated with safely and efficiently integrating these new types of aircraft into the National Airspace System.

“The program will provide valuable operational experience that will inform the standards needed to enable safe Advanced Air Mobility operations,”saidChris Rocheleau, FAA deputy administrator.

The DOT said the eight proposals were selected based on their ability to quickly integrate into commercial operations, as well as overall manufacturer experience and the strength of existing public, private, and academic partnerships.

“Congratulations to the great American innovators behind each of these exciting pilot programs,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.

“Working together, we will ensure America leads the way in safely leveraging next-gen aircraft to radically redefine personal travel, regional transportation, cargo logistics, emergency medicine, and so much more.”

Initial operations under the program umbrella are expected to begin this summer, the DOT said.

The pilot program is the cornerstone of President Donald Trump’s efforts to accelerate aviation innovation by developing next-generation unmanned aircraft systems. Trump initially outlined his vision for the program in a June 6, 2025, ExecutiveOrdertitled Unleashing American Drone Dominance.

Air taxi startup Joby Aviation of Santa Cruz, California,which in Januaryacquireda 700,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Dayton, Ohio, to ramp up its production capabilities,was selected as a partner for programs in Arizona, Florida, Idaho, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Utah.

Source: ZeroHedge News