Image: Joby
Texas is becoming a focal point for US eVTOL development as a federal pilot programme brings aircraft testing, route planning and charging infrastructure together across the state.
California-based electric air taxi developer Joby Aviation has begun a week of demonstration flights across Dallas-Fort Worth under the US Department of Transportation’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). The programme is designed to give federal and state authorities operational data from advanced aircraft as they prepare for wider commercial use.
Texas is one of eight eIPP projects selected by the US government in March. The Texas project is led by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and covers operations across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
Joby is flying its four-seat aircraft between Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport and destinations including Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Arlington and Toyota Motor North America’s campus in Plano. The latter follows a route the company has proposed for future commercial service.
“Advanced Air Mobility vehicles are the future of aviation and these demonstrations in Texas are critical to getting us there,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “The FAA is leveraging data from test flights in Texas and across the country to ensure these new aircraft integrate safely into the airspace.”
The programme involves four eVTOL developers, with Joby joined by Archer Aviation, Beta Technologies and Wisk Aero. Operators including Bristow, Metro Aviation and Future Flight Global are also participating, with Beta planning medical supply and cargo missions across the state.
The infrastructure needed to support those flights is now being developed alongside the aircraft testing. Archer, Beta and Macquarie Capital said this week that their America’s Consortium for Electric Skyways (ACES) will work with TxDOT to identify locations for interoperable electric aircraft chargers across Texas.
The consortium is targeting up to 250 charging sites across the US by 2030 and says multiple aircraft operators will be able to use the same infrastructure. In Texas, the partners are expected to focus on airports, fixed-base operators and other locations along routes planned under the eIPP.
TxDOT has outlined a longer-term vision connecting Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio and Houston with regional air taxi networks extending into rural communities.
Archer is also preparing to fly its Midnight aircraft in Texas after launching its nationwide No Roads flight tour. Beta is expected to conduct its own Texas flight demonstrations in the coming months.
Joby has meanwhile leased a 45,000 sq ft facility at Perot Field as its long-term North Texas base. The company is using the Texas campaign to gather data from urban routes and controlled airport airspace as it progresses through the final stage of FAA certification for its aircraft.
