The prospect of electric “air taxis” buzzing around Texas skies just got a boost from the Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and the FAA announced that eight proposals—including one in Texas—have been selected as part of the brand-new Advanced Air Mobility and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).
eVTOLs—short for electric vertical takeoff and landing—are futuristic aircraft with the potential to generate new jobs, connect communities, and strengthen American leadership in aviation, the FAA said.
Four industry partners have aligned with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to make eVTOL air taxi flights a reality in Texas. Archer Aviation, BETA, Joby Aviation, and Wisk aim to support regional air taxi flights connecting Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and eventually Houston, with networks expanding from each city to extend regional reach…