The flying car revolution just got its biggest regulatory green light yet. The Federal Aviation Administration launched a pilot program Friday that could put Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation air taxis in US skies within months, marking a pivotal moment for the $17 billion eVTOL industry.
The Federal Aviation Administration just handed the air taxi industry its most significant regulatory breakthrough. Friday's announcement of a new pilot program puts Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation on track to launch supervised commercial trials across the US, potentially within the next 12 months.
Both companies saw their shares climb Friday as investors digested the implications. Joby jumped 8% while Archer gained 12% in afternoon trading, reflecting Wall Street's confidence that regulatory approval - long the industry's biggest hurdle - is finally within reach.
The program will establish at least five demonstration projects through public-private partnerships with state and local governments. "The next great technological revolution in aviation is here," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in the official release. "The United States will lead the way, and doing so will cement America's status as a global leader in transportation innovation."
This isn't just regulatory theater. Archer says supervised trials could begin in the US as soon as next year, ahead of full FAA certification. Joby is set to begin FAA flight testing early next year. Both timelines represent significant acceleration from previous estimates that pushed commercial operations into the late 2020s.
The announcement comes two months after President Trump's executive order specifically called for the creation of an eVTOL pilot program to foster safe development in the US. The timing signals the administration's commitment to beating China and Europe in the race to deploy urban air mobility at scale.
Joby called the program a "critical step" toward widespread air taxi service. CEO Adam Goldstein went further, dubbing it a "landmark moment" that allows the company to work with partners like to trial aircraft in real-world conditions.
