Beta wraps first test flight in big U.S. government bet on air taxis

Beta It said Friday it has completed the first test flights in the U.S. government’s comprehensive electric vertical takeoff and landing pilot program aimed at making its flying taxi vision a reality.

aviation company supported by AmazonHe said there were flights between airports in Maryland and Virginia carrying organs produced by United Therapeutics. The flights totaled approximately 275 nautical miles.

“Today’s successful missions have paved the way for routine medical applications across the country via electric flight at a much lower cost,” Beta CEO Kyle Clark said in a statement. he said.

For years, the industry has been touting flying cars as a solution to congested traffic with medical, cargo and defense applications. Beta is one of several electric air taxi manufacturers racing to obtain Federal Aviation Administration certification and begin flying passengers commercially. Timelines were delayed as certification proved difficult to achieve.

The eVTOL pilot program, which President Donald Trump launched with an executive order last year, brought with it the opportunity to speed up approval.

The program, spearheaded by the Department of Transportation and the FAA, Covers eight projects in 26 states. Beta is the most active company participating in seven of these.

The government initially said testing would begin this summer.

Beta’s eVTOL aircraft are expected to be certified in 2028. The company also makes a conventional takeoff and landing vehicle that is on track for certification in 2027.

Beta shares have lost about half their value since the company’s initial public offering in November.

Appetite decreased throughout the sector Joby And Okçu Aviation Its shares have fallen by more than a third this year. of england Vertical Aviation It lost 68 percent of its value. Some companies are also in the middle of heated court battles.

WRISTWATCH: How court battles have delayed the US eVTOL industry