The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has introduced a new pilot initiative that will enable electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) startups to assess certain operations prior to obtaining complete regulatory certification.

This represents a significant shift for these firms, as they have dedicated the previous years to conducting restricted test flights of their vehicles while seeking FAA authorization. Nonetheless, there are constraints to the program.

Companies must collaborate with state, local, tribal, or territorial authorities to apply for the initiative. The FAA states it will endorse at least five projects that can operate for as long as three years, focusing on short-distance air taxis, extended-range fixed-wing flights, cargo transport, logistics and supply for emergency or medical uses, and “enhancing automation safety.”

The FAA is looking for participants “who can achieve successful results by collaborating with various entities, which will expedite these projects in line with the high safety standards that the public anticipates from the aviation sector,” as per the official solicitation documentation.

“Once these projects succeed, they are expected to provide valuable data and insights to shape the wider regulatory framework that will support and govern the AAM [advanced air mobility] sector,” the agency states.

As of Friday, Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation have confirmed their intentions to apply to the pilot initiative. Neither company has specified which governmental body they plan to partner with, although Archer mentioned it will collaborate with its current partner (and investor) United Airlines. Submissions are due by December 11, 2025, and the pilot programs could commence as early as 2026.