Joby’s eVTOL air taxi prototype at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport (KAFW) in Fort Worth, Texas. (VAI/Katia Veraza Photo)
VAI attends the 1st Project Nexus eIPP flight in Texas
By Katia Veraza
Project Nexus conducted its debut flight Sep. 10, in Fort Worth, Texas, as part of the FAA’s Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). The Texas Department of Transportation’s entry in the eIPP, Project Nexus is a collaboration between eVTOL aircraft developers and VAI members Joby, BETA Technologies, Archer Aviation, and Wisk Aero and VAI member operators Bristow and Metro Aviation, as well as Future Flight Global. The eIPP launched earlier this year to help safely test and accelerate the integration of emerging aviation technologies into the National Airspace System.
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Cruz attended the milestone event, which was coordinated by the Texas Department of Transportation (TDOT). During the event, the two leaders addressed the importance of investing in and planning for AAM infrastructure to prepare for the next generation of aviation while supporting the safe and efficient integration of these technologies.
It was a great day to be part of the aviation community. Congratulations to Dan Harmon, director of the TDOT Aviation Division, and Sergio Roman II, director of emerging aviation technology for the TDOT, for putting together such a successful event.
Katia Veraza is VAI’s director of state government affairs and regional relations.
