taxi

Sept. 14 (UPI) — A pilot program to establish electric flying taxis as a viable transportation option has been unveiled by the administration of President Donald Trump.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday that it would administer the pilot program, officially the Electrical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program, which will form public-private partnerships between local governments and private sector companies to develop new frameworks and regulations for enabling safe operations.

The announcement comes after Trump penned an executive order in June for “unleashing drone dominance.” At the time, the president had said the United States “must accelerate the safe commercialization of drone technologies and fully integrate UAS into the National Airspace System.”

The pilot would cover passenger trips and cargo runs, testing crewed eVTOL aircraft alongside remotely piloted and autonomous drones.

“The next great technological revolution in aviation is here. The United States will lead the way, and doing so will cement America’s status as a global leader in transportation innovation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.

“That means more high-paying manufacturing jobs and economic opportunity. By safely testing the deployment of these futuristic air taxis and other [advanced air mobility] vehicles, we can fundamentally improve how the traveling public and products move.”

The FAA said that the program will include at least five pilot projects and run for three years after the first becomes operational. So far, at least two companies have expressed willingness to participate.

Joby Aviation, a California-based firm developing air taxis for commercial passenger service, said that the program ensures such air taxis can take off in select markets before a full FAA certification. In 2023, the FAA greenlit a plan from the company to begin test flights on a prototype.

“We’ve spent more than 15 years building the aircraft technology and operational capabilities that are defining advanced aerial mobility, and we’re ready to bring our services to communities,” Joby’s chief policy officer, Greg Bowles, said in a statement.

“We look forward to demonstrating our aircraft’s maturity and delivering early operations in cities and states nationwide.”

Another firm, Archer Aviation, heralded the announcement as the “first federal initiative designed specifically to accelerate real-world electric air taxi operations in the U.S.”

“This is a landmark moment for our industry and our country,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer founder and CEO. “These early flights will help cement American leadership in advanced aviation and set the stage for scaled commercial operations in the U.S. and beyond.”

Sept. 12 (UPI) — Two California-based tech firms on Friday joined a Federal Aviation Administration pilot program meant to speed up the delivery of advanced air mobility vehicles, commonly known as air taxis, the agency said.

The Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program will include at least five separate projects, the FAA said in a statement.

Both Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation are joining the public-private pilot program. The companies are primarily focused on electric vertical takeoff and landing technology.

The goal of the pilot program is to “form public-private partnerships with state and local government entities and private sector companies to develop new frameworks and regulations for enabling safe operations,” the FAA said in the statement.

Individual projects under the pilot program will focus separately on short-range air taxis, cargo aircraft, logistics and supply serving emergency management and medical transport, longer-range, fixed wing flights and increased automation safety, according to the FAA.

“This pilot program gives us another opportunity to advance the administration’s plan to accelerate safe eVTOL and advanced air mobility operations across the United States,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in the agency’s statement.

“We will take the lessons learned from these projects to enable safe, scalable AAM operations nationwide.”

The pilot program will run for a minimum of three years.

“The next great technological revolution in aviation is here. The United States will lead the way, and doing so will cement America’s status as a global leader in transportation innovation,” Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said in the FAA’s statement.

Both private companies saw their stock prices climb following the announcement.

Shares of San Jose-based Archer Aviation were up $0.13 or 1.53% to $8.62 as of 12:56 p.m. EDT Friday.

The company’s CEO Adam Goldstein called the announcement a “landmark moment” for the country and industry.

“We have an administration that is prioritizing the integration of eVTOL operations in U.S. cities ahead of full certification in a pragmatic way. We’ll demonstrate that air taxis can operate safely and quietly,” Goldstein said in a statement on the company’s website.

“These early flights will help cement American leadership in advanced aviation and set the stage for scaled commercial operations in the U.S. and beyond.”

Joby Aviation shares were up $0.37 or 2.71% to $14.03 at the same time.

“President Trump has long recognized the significance of America’s leadership in the next era of aviation and this initiative ensures our nation’s leadership will continue,” Joby Aviation Chief Policy Officer Greg Bowles said in a statement on the company’s website.

“We’ve spent more than 15 years building the aircraft technology and operational capabilities that are defining advanced aerial mobility, and we’re ready to bring our services to communities. We look forward to demonstrating our aircraft’s maturity and delivering early operations in cities and states nationwide.”

British cyclist Finlay Pickering took a 200km taxi ride and arrived without his luggage following a flight delay to accept a late call-up for his first Vuelta a Espana.

The 22-year-old was called upon to replace injured Bahrain Victorious team-mate Damiano Caruso less than 24 hours before the start of Saturday’s opening stage.

Pickering, only able to take the call after being late to head out on a training ride, travelled in a taxi from Andorra to Toulouse before flying to Turin.

A delay meant he arrived at the race with only the contents of his hand luggage – although fortunately that included his shoes.

It was far from ideal preparation for the Yorkshireman’s first stage at a Grand Tour race, but he managed to finish stage one in 153rd place.

“It was actually really lucky. I had a problem with a pair of training wheels and they were in a bike shop so I was a bit late going out training,” Pickering explained.

“I was on the way to pick them up when I got a call from management saying: How quickly can I be in an airport?

“The first flight was delayed, so I didn’t get my suitcase. But at least I managed to pack two pairs of shoes [in my hand luggage] so I can start.

“I’ve got a set of boxers, a set of socks, and the team are really good at looking after me, so no stress.”

He added, speaking before starting the Vuelta: “I’m pretty ready. I’m a bike rider and this is a bike race, after all – even if it’s a pretty big one.”

Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen won the first red jersey of this year’s Vuelta a Espana after taking victory on the opening stage in a sprint finish.