NBAA Welcomes DOT Programs to Accelerate Safe eVTOL, AAM Operations

Contact: Dan Hubbard, 202-431-5970, [email protected]

Washington, DC, March 10, 2026 - The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) applauds yesterday's announcement by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of eight projects selected under the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), to accelerate the deployment of safe, lawful next-generation aerial operations in the United States.

"NBAA welcomes this exciting announcement of the key partners and programs helping to further our industry's adoption and utilization of AAM," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "These efforts will help catalyze the sector's growth, bringing tremendous benefits to our nation's aviation industry, including business aviation, and maintaining our country's leadership in the next generation of aerospace."

Under the terms of the new eIPP, governments across 26 states will work with AAM and eVTOL manufacturers including Archer, BETA, Electra, Joby and Wisk; Reliable Robotics; and other stakeholders on projects ranging from intracity and regional passenger, medical and cargo operations, to advancing the safety of autonomous aircraft. The DOT expects initial operations under these pilot programs as soon as summer 2026.

Read the DOT announcement about the new Advanced Air Mobility and eVTOL eIPP.

"Together, these pilot projects will create one of the largest real-world testing environments for next-generation aircraft in the world," said the DOT. "In addition to offering the American people an exciting window into the future of aviation, data from the pilot projects will be used by the FAA to develop new regulations that safely enable this futuristic technology at scale."

AAM offers several benefits to the business aviation community, including intracity and regional transportation, medevac and disaster relief operations and air tours.

The importance of the AAM revolution was highlighted when the FAA chose the 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) to release its Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) establishing requirements for the safe and efficient integration of AAM vehicles into the National Airspace System, including for business aviation operations. Read more about the AAM SFAR introduced at NBAA-BACE2024.

NBAA has also long supported the development of a safe and robust operational infrastructure for AAM, including through NBAA's Emerging Technologies Committee, composed of experts with backgrounds in technology, aviation regulation, operations, business, law and more.

Additionally, the NBAA AAM Roundtable provides a forum for original equipment manufacturers of AAM aircraft and other systems to engage in high-level planning discussions on the integration of AAM technologies. Read more about the NBAA AAM Roundtable.

# # #

Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 10,000 company and professional members and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at nbaa.org.

Members of the media may receive NBAA Press Releases immediately via email. To subscribe to the NBAA Press Release email list, submit the online form.