First Demonstrations of Next-Generation Aircraft Under USDOT’s eIPP Kicked Off in Texas Today

(Texas) The state of Texas saw its first demonstration of next-generation aircraft under the U.S. Department of Transportation‘s Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) today (Sept. 10) – making Texas the sixth location to launch under the Department’s initiative.

Image of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, a Joby test pilot and Joby CEO JoeBen Bivert at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW) courtesy of Joby Aviation on Instagram, @jobyaviation.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy visited the demonstrations at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW) – which were the first in Texas sponsored under eIPP, which partnered BETA (NYSE: BETA), Joby (NYSE: JOBY), and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to develop regional air taxi flights connecting Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and eventually Houston, according to today’s press release from the FAA.

Image of Joby Aviation’s S4 eVTOL at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW) courtesy of Joby Aviation.

Additionally, America’s Consortium for Electric Skyways (ACES) – a partnership involving BETA, Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) and Macquarie Capital today announced plans to support Texas’ air taxi operations under the White House’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) by expanding interoperable electric aviation charging infrastructure in the state across key locations like airports, FBOs and other points of interest.

On Saturday, Sept. 12, Joby’s aircraft will fly a roundtrip flight from AFW to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to test flight operations between major airports, according to the press release.

The full list of Joby’s missions planned for this week, from Sept 10 – 14, include the following, according to today’s press release from Joby:

• AFW Airport: Campaign kickoff and joint flight demonstration from Joby and other aircraft manufacturers in partnership with TXDOT
• DFW Airport – Corporate Aviation Fixed-Base Operator (FBO): Joby’s aircraft will enter DFW’s controlled airspace, landing directly at DFW Corporate Aviation
• Arlington, TX: Round-trip flight from AFW demonstrating low-noise operations over major infrastructure, including the Fort Worth Stockyards
• Toyota Motor North America HQ (Plano): Flight along the planned operational route connecting AFW to Toyota’s corporate campus

“Under President Trump, we are unlocking the future of flight and empowering innovators to build and test these exciting aircraft here in the U.S.,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Today marks another critical step in our work to reshape how people and products move faster and more efficiently.”

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford commented: “Advanced Air Mobility vehicles are the future of aviation and these demonstrations in Texas are critical to getting us there. The FAA is leveraging data from test flights in Texas and across the country to ensure these new aircraft integrate safely into the airspace.”

"In Texas, we don’t wait for the future to arrive, we build it. The Lone Star State is pushing the boundaries by testing the next generation of aircraft through Project Nexus. I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Duffy for their leadership and decisive action,” said Senator and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Ted Cruz (R-Texas). “These technologies will connect communities, expand access to jobs and services, and strengthen supply chains. What starts in Texas will help shape the future of aviation throughout the entire country."