US Inches Closer to Flying Cars As DOT Approves Pilots For Several Regions

Flying cars could soon be coming to your town after the federal government approved a three-year pilot program to test the ultra-light aircraft.

WIRED reported that the U.S. Department of Transportation approved the program for eight regions, including New York and New Jersey, Texas, Florida, and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The department of transportation’s announcement included a YouTube video that literally opens with the theme to the animated series “The Jetsons.”

“This first-of-its-kind program, which was outlined in President Trump’s Unleashing Drone Dominance Executive Order, is accelerating the safe integration of next-generation Advanced Air Mobility aircraft into the national airspace and ensuring the United States leads the way in aviation innovation,” the U.S. Department of Transportation stated.

WIRED noted that the vehicles have not yet received full certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration. The aircraft do not operate like typical helicopters or planes. Some, according to WIRED, have vertical takeoff ability or need much less space to takeoff, meaning they can operate closer to where people live or work.

The pilot program embraces several potential concepts for the vehicles including:

• Urban air taxi services
• Regional passenger transportation (including short Takeoff and Landing aircraft)
• Cargo and logistics networks
• Emergency medical response operations
• Autonomous flight technologies
• Offshore and energy-sector transportation

“These partnerships will help us better understand how to safely and efficiently integrate these aircraft into the National Airspace System,” said FAA Deputy Administrator Chris Rocheleau. “The program will provide valuable operational experience that will inform the standards needed to enable safe Advanced Air Mobility operations. We appreciate the strong interest reflected in the many proposals we received.”