TL;DRAmazon-backed Beta Technologies has flown the first flights of the US government’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, launched by a Trump executive order. Tellingly, the debut missions carried manufactured organs for United Therapeutics between Maryland and Virginia (~275 nautical miles), not passengers. The programme spans eight projects across 26 states (Beta in seven), but certification is still 2027-28 and the sector has seen a brutal shakeout.
Beta Technologies has completed the first flights in the US government’s electric air-taxi pilot programme. The Amazon-backed company flew the debut missions of the scheme, CNBC reports.
The flights did not carry passengers. Instead, they transported manufactured organs for United Therapeutics between airports in Maryland and Virginia, covering about 275 nautical miles.
The programme, an eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, was launched by a Trump executive order last year. It spans eight projects across 26 states, with Beta the most active participant, involved in seven.
The 💜 of EU techThe latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!The political backing has been visible. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy became the first person in his role to fly aboard a next-generation vertical-takeoff aircraft, one of Beta’s.
