eIPP FAQs - 9.11.25.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q: What’s the purpose of this eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP)?

A: The purpose of the eIPP is to support the Administration’s plan to accelerate the deployment of safe and lawful electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) and other advanced air mobility (AAM) operations in the United States. In Executive Order 14307, the President of the United States directed the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and in coordination with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), to establish an Integration Pilot Program under which State, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments can partner with private sector organizations with demonstrated experience in eVTOL and other AAM aircraft development, manufacturing, and operations. The purpose of the eIPP is to accelerate the use of these technologies developed or offered by United States-based entities by working to inform the development of regulations, initiatives, and plans to enable safe eVTOL and other AAM operations.

Q: How does this program differ from existing programs and BEYOND Phase 2?

A: While previous programs have focused primarily on evaluation and conducting operations in specific geographic areas, for this eIPP, the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration will work with capable partners who can demonstrate the viability of new AAM technologies in ways that deliver new benefits to the public – and then take the lessons learned from these projects to enable such operations at scale, consistent with the highest safety standards. Specifically, the BEYOND Phase 2 program participants are unmanned aircraft not seeking type certification. These aircraft will generally be under 1,320 lbs., with a low frequency of ATC interactions. eIPP participants will be piloted, optionally piloted, or unmanned AAM aircraft seeking type certification. These aircraft will generally be more than1,320 lbs., with a high frequency of ATC interactions, and may be capable of carrying passengers.

Participants will also include technologies enabling integration of these aircraft in the NAS.

With the eIPP, the FAA intends to expedite the evaluation and approval of eVTOL and other AAM operations beyond those currently permitted today. Activities under the eIPP will:

• Accelerate the safe and efficient integration of eVTOL and other AAM operations within the NAS;

• Generate data to inform the FAA's development of guidance and regulations;

• Foster and leverage public-private partnerships;

• Provide opportunities to accelerate commercial-use operations.

The focus of this pilot program will be achieving ambitious national objectives in core areas that are in the public interest. Operations that are envisioned include piloted and unmanned approaches to:

• Air Taxis: Short range, on demand flying eVTOLs connecting to ground transport, demonstrating reduced noise impacts.

• Longer-range, fixed wing flights moving people in new forms of advanced regional aircraft with capabilities such as short takeoff and landing that could unlock new and more economically viable possibilities in air travel.

• Cargo: Using novel aircraft, including potentially fixed wing aircraft, to provide cargo services.

• Logistics and supply: Demonstrating new airlift and emergency management services, such as eVTOL operations for servicing energy facilities off-shore and improving medical transport capabilities with lower costs and impacts on local communities.

• Increasing Automation Safety: Demonstrating safe integration of aircraft with a range of automation technologies designed to enhance safety and/or efficiency in AAM operations.

Q: When are applications due?

A: Proposals must be submitted by 3:00 PM ET on December 11, 2025 to the eIPP portal accessible at https://uas-support.faa.gov/s/?default=new.

Q: Who can participate?

A: Prospective applicants must be a State, local, tribal and territorial government that has a United States-based private sector partner(s) with demonstrated experience in eVTOL or other AAM development, manufacturing, and operations, or new supporting technologies enabling AAM integration into the NAS.

Q: Is there a time limit on the program?

A: The program will conclude three (3) years after the date that the first pilot project becomes operational, unless the Secretary of Transportation determines that an extension is warranted in the national interest.

Q: Does a partnership have to be documented before an applicant can submit a proposal?

A: Yes. The proposal must contain a letter(s) of attestation from United States-based private-sector partner(s), including capability statements and experience in eVTOL or other AAM aircraft development, type certification, manufacturing, and operations, or support services.

Aircraft in the proposal must have a type certification project.

Q: If a partnership proposal includes an aircraft, does the aircraft need to have a type certification project?

A: Yes. Aircraft in the partnership proposal must have a type certification project.

Q: How many applications will be accepted?

A: The Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will select at least five pilot projects.

Q: What if I want to participate but can’t find a partner?

A: Partnerships between a State, local, tribal, and territorial government and a United States-based private sector partner(s) with demonstrated experience in eVTOL or other AAM development, manufacturing, and operations, or new supporting technologies enabling AAM integration into the NAS are required. The FAA will not be involved in identifying prospective partnerships.

https://uas-support.faa.gov/s/?default=new

Q: Will there be federal money available to the participants?

A: No. Interested SLTT and private sector partners are not precluded from proposing operations that utilize other sources of funding so long as it is consistent with the criteria identified in the solicitation.

Q: Where can I find details about the program?

A: Information can be found online at https://uas-support.faa.gov/s/?default=new.

Q: What authority is the FAA using to conduct this program?

A: The President signed Executive Order 14307, Unleashing American Drone Dominance, on June 6, 2025, directing the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the FAA Administrator, to establish an eVTOL Integration Pilot Program to accelerate the deployment of safe and lawful eVTOL operations in the United States, per the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, Section 920.

The eIPP implements this national policy under the FAA’s general authority to develop plans and policy for the use of the navigable airspace. 49 U.S.C. § 40103(b). Federal law provides the FAA Administrator broad authority to enter into agreements, contracts, or other transactions with State, local, territorial, or tribal governments to carry out the functions of the FAA (see 49 U.S.C.

106(l)(6)).

Q: Is the FAA allowing local governments in this pilot program to control the airspace within their jurisdictions?

A: No. The FAA has exclusive authority over U.S. airspace under 49 U.S.C. § 40103(b).

However, this Program will allow testing of novel approaches to integrating eVTOL and other AAM operations. Through the eIPP, DOT and the FAA will permit novel concepts of operations to the extent they do not conflict with the FAA’s safe and efficient management of U.S.

airspace.

https://uas-support.faa.gov/s/?default=new