AUVSI Statement on the Federal Aviation Administration’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) Announcement

March 9, 2026

The Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) marks a major milestone for the future of advanced air mobility. AUVSI commends the White House for setting this vision through the Unleashing American Drone Dominance Executive Order, establishing a clear policy foundation that encourages innovation, accelerates safe integration, and positions the U.S. as a global leader in next-generation aviation.

“eIPP is the bridge from promise to practice, turning advanced air mobility from prototypes into repeatable, safe operations that communities can trust,” said AUVSI President & CEO, Michael Robbins. “This is how we build regulatory confidence: real operations, real data, and clear performance standards. Advanced air mobility will deliver tangible value—faster emergency response, smarter logistics, and new connectivity—while meeting an uncompromising safety bar. eIPP puts us on that path by testing real use cases and building a blueprint others can replicate.”

AUVSI also recognizes the incredible collaboration among industry leaders, state and local governments, and community stakeholders, who rapidly aligned on dozens of creative, real-world applications—from medical and emergency response to cargo and passenger operations. Their commitment demonstrates both operational readiness and the opportunity for scalable, transferable lessons across the country.

Finally, AUVSI commends the FAA and Department of Transportation for moving swiftly on execution, selecting eight pilot projects in 26 states that represent a diverse mix of operational types and geographies, and now setting the stage for these operations to advance from concept to reality. This program is a critical step in demonstrating how eVTOL technology can safely expand mobility, strengthen the domestic aerospace industrial base, and deliver meaningful benefits to communities nationwide.

Several AUVSI members are participating in the selected pilot efforts, including Archer Aviation, BETA Technologies, Elroy Air, Joby Aviation, Reliable Robotics, and Wisk Aero. Their involvement underscores the depth of innovation across the AUVSI community and highlights how industry leadership, working in partnership with federal, state, and local governments, is accelerating the safe introduction of advanced air mobility operations in the United States.

AUVSI will continue working with the FAA to ensure long-term performance-based rulemaking that unlocks the full potential of advanced air mobility, from reducing emissions and noise to improving connectivity for rural and urban communities and advancing towards enhanced automation and autonomous operations.