USDOT Launches Advanced Air Mobility Pilot Program in North Carolina

WASHINGTON — U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the start of demonstration flights in North Carolina under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), marking the fifth location to launch under the initiative following Texas earlier this month.

The testing initiative focuses on evaluating electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs), autonomous planes, and drone technology in real-world environments. According to the USDOT, data gathered from the pilot projects will be utilized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to draft regulations aimed at integrating these technologies into the national airspace.

In North Carolina, the state Department of Transportation is partnering with Joby Aviation and BETA Technologies to test regional transport and emergency capabilities. Recent operations included a flight by Joby’s remotely piloted J208 aircraft from Dare County Regional Airport to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. BETA Technologies conducted test flights using its electric ALIA aircraft across Raleigh Executive Jetport, Pitt-Greenville Airport, and Dare County Regional Airport, simulating medical transport and disaster response missions.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated that the agency will use the operational data and findings to construct a regulatory framework that supports community connections and essential services.

The eIPP was introduced in March and covers eight projects across 28 states. The program's scope includes testing urban air taxi operations, regional passenger transit, cargo logistics, emergency medical response, and autonomous systems. State officials and participating companies plan to conduct further test flights in North Carolina through the remainder of the year.

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