Air taxis begin test flights in the US: 2-hour journey reduced to 10 minutes

Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft have entered the testing phase in the US. Joby Aviation announced that it has conducted test flights between Manhattan and John F. Kennedy International Airport. It was reported that the tests will continue throughout the week with various scenarios.

The multi-rotor aircraft are capable of transitioning to forward flight mode after a vertical take-off. The electric-powered system is stated to offer a capacity for five people, including a pilot.

Within the scope of the project, the goal is to reduce airport travel, which can take 1–2 hours by road, to under 10 minutes by air. The application is described as an alternative model aimed at reducing urban travel time.

It was noted that the test flights were carried out as part of an integration program coordinated by the Federal Aviation Administration. The tests aim to collect data on topics such as safety, performance, and airspace compatibility.

While the certification process for the commercial use of electric aircraft continues, it is stated that evaluations regarding infrastructure and costs are also ongoing.

News Source: İHA