The future of flying? US speeds up plans for air taxis, supersonic planes and drones
The FAA is accelerating regulatory frameworks to support the integration of air taxis, drones, and supersonic aircraft into the national airspace. A pilot program is currently underway to test eVTOL technology in confined urban environments.
Why it matters
This represents a significant step toward the commercialization of next-generation urban air mobility and autonomous aviation.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is stepping up efforts to support the deployment of air taxis, supersonic passenger aircraft, drones and commercial space launches, as it looks to modernise aviation regulations and accelerate the adoption of next-generation technologies.Speaking to Reuters at the Farnborough International Airshow, FAA deputy administrator Chris Rocheleau said the agency was working to streamline certification and regulatory processes while allowing companies greater flexibility to innovate."We want to make sure that we're not being too prescriptive in those standards, and that we're letting the industry drive the innovation," Rocheleau said.FAA using pilot programme to prepare for air taxi rolloutThe FAA launched an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program last year to help manufacturers begin deploying the new class of aircraft.The programme involves eight partner companies across 26 US states, with data gathered from the trials expected to support future certification efforts."The whole idea behind…
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in