In November 2023, Joby Aviation conducted a test flight of its electric air taxi in New York City. This milestone comes on the heels of new regulations released by federal authorities on October 22, which outline the operational guidelines for electric air taxis and the training procedures for pilots operating these innovative aircraft.
Mike Whitaker, the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), emphasized that this regulation officially recognizes air taxis as a novel category of aircraft, set to operate alongside traditional airplanes and helicopters in our skies. These vehicles have the ability to take off and land vertically like helicopters, while flying like fixed-wing aircraft.
While numerous companies are racing to bring electric air taxis to market, they have faced challenges due to unclear regulations governing their use. Whitaker reassured that the FAA prioritizes the safety of these new flying machines as it works to integrate them into the national airspace. He noted that powered-lift aircraft represent the first new category of aircraft to emerge in nearly 80 years since the inception of helicopters, and the new rules will enable their widespread operation.
Supporters of air taxis advocate for their potential to offer a cleaner alternative to traditional jets, which rely on fossil fuels that contribute to air pollution and carbon emissions. However, current technology limits the size of these air taxis, making them more suitable for urban applications, with developers focusing on passenger transport and cargo delivery.
Joby Aviation, based in California, is one of the pioneering companies in this emerging sector and has expressed strong support for the FAA’s new regulations. CEO JoeBen Bevirt stated that these rules “will ensure that the U.S. continues to lead globally in the development and deployment of clean flight.”
Long-haul airlines see air taxis as a practical means of ferrying passengers to airports. Delta Air Lines announced an investment of $60 million in Joby Aviation back in 2022, and earlier this month, Toyota made headlines by investing $500 million in the company.
Meanwhile, United Airlines is backing another California-based firm, Archer Aviation, and has placed an order for 200 electric air taxis. Archer Aviation estimates that this order could be worth up to $1 billion, with an option to add an additional $500 million.
