Electric flying taxis could start testing routes between Texas’ largest cities within the next three years, state transportation officials say.
A state plan to connect San Antonio, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston with “regional test flights” of the futuristic aircraft was recently accepted into a federal program designed to develop the use of the technology across the nation.
Collectively known as Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing, or eVTOL, the aircraft resemble giant drones and are designed to be self-flying. Several types are in testing and awaiting certification by the Federal Aviation Administration. They’re part of a larger discussion over the concept of Advanced Air Mobility which is reimagining the nation’s air network to integrate the new types of aircraft, work out how best to use them and develop the infrastructure needed to operate them safely…