Archer and Joby To Join Federal Program for eVTOL Development

DOT and FAA to establish pre-certification operating environment for electric aircraft

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September 15, 2025

Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturers, will join a new FAA initiative to hasten the development and deployment of the equipment, both companies announced. In June, President Trump signed an Executive Order to accelerate next-generation aviation technologies; the order included the establishment of the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).

Under the eIPP, the DOT and the FAA are establishing pre-certification operating environments for eVTOL aircraft to accelerate the roll-out of air taxis in the US.

In its announcement, Archer said it is now exploring pathways to work together with US airlines, including United Airlines, and interested cities under the new program to design and execute trial operations of Archer’s Midnight aircraft as part of the eIPP.

Adam Goldstein, Archer’s CEO, said: “This is a landmark moment for our industry and our country. We have an administration that is prioritizing the integration of eVTOL operations in US cities ahead of full certification in a pragmatic way. We’ll demonstrate that air taxis can operate safely and quietly.” These early flights, he said, “will help cement American leadership in advanced aviation and set the stage for scaled commercial operations in the US and beyond.”

Gregory Bowles, chief policy officer at Joby, said: “We’ve spent more than 15 years building the aircraft technology and operational capabilities that are defining advanced aerial mobility, and we’re ready to bring our services to communities. We look forward to demonstrating our aircraft’s maturity and delivering early operations in cities and states nationwide.”

The eIPP is designed to allow mature aircraft designs to demonstrate eVTOL use cases, such as passenger transportation, cargo delivery and emergency response, ahead of achieving type certification. The program requires participating partners to have a high level of maturity in aircraft capabilities and a degree of readiness that facilitates operations from the time that community projects are chosen.