Federal regulators have taken a big step toward integrating electric-powered air taxis into the national airspace, issuing a final rule Tuesday outlining operational guidelines and pilot training requirements for the aircraft.
According to Mike Whitaker, head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the new rule acknowledges air taxis as a distinct category of aircraft, marking the first introduction of a new aircraft category in nearly 80 years since helicopters were introduced.
He said “powered-lift aircraft” will soon join airplanes and helicopters in the skies on a large scale and emphasized the agency’s commitment to safety.
Air taxis, which take off and land vertically like helicopters but fly like fixed-wing planes, have been under development by numerous companies, but their commercial rollout has been delayed due to regulatory uncertainties….