electric aviation

Archer says its Midnight air taxi has closed Phase 3 of the FAA's four-phase type certification, moving into formal compliance testing as it eyes US operations in 2026.

Joby flew JFK-to-Manhattan routes in seven minutes during an April 27–May 1 New York campaign, days before Wisk flew its second Gen 6 autonomous prototype.

Bristol-based Vertical Aerospace flew its VX4 prototype from vertical takeoff into wingborne cruise on April 2, marking the third such piloted demonstration in the West and clearing the way for two-way transition trials later this year.

Test pilot Paul Stone flew Vertical Aerospace's VX4 prototype through a vertical takeoff-to-wingborne flight transition at Cotswold Airport on April 2, marking a first for a piloted, full-scale eVTOL under UK Civil Aviation Authority oversight.

Joby Aviation began flight-testing its first FAA-conforming eVTOL in March 2026, entering the final certification phase as Archer acquires Lilium's patents and six companies prepare for live airspace trials this summer.

The DOT and FAA chose eight state-led eVTOL pilot programs covering 26 states, enabling companies like Joby, Archer, and BETA Technologies to begin passenger and cargo air taxi operations as early as summer 2026.