Trump's Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Celebrates Launch of Federal eVTOL Pilot Program in North Carolina to Unlock Future of Flight
WASHINGTON, D.C. / CRWE PRESS RELEASE / September 23, 2026 - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy celebrated North Carolina’s first demonstration flight of its next-generation aircraft under USDOT’s Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program. North Carolina is the fifth location to launch under the Department’s initiative, following Texas earlier this month.
Under Secretary Duffy, USDOT has created one of the largest real-world environments for testing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs), autonomous planes, and drone technology.
The first-of-its-kind testing initiative has the potential to create jobs, connect communities, and strengthen American leadership in aviation. Data from the pilot projects will be used by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop new regulations that safely enable this futuristic technology at scale.
“Under President Trump, we are unlocking the future of flight, one test flight at a time,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “More than 120 years after the Wright Brothers took to the skies at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina is again leading the charge to transform how Americans move. Thanks to these tests, we are closer than ever to welcoming next-generation aircraft into our skies.”
Joby Aviation, BETA Technologies and the North Carolina Department of Transportation are collaborating to test regional flight and medical transport capabilities between small local airports and a major hub. Last week, Joby’s remotely piloted J208 flew from Dare County Regional Airport (MQI) to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, while BETA’s electric ALIA aircraft completed multiple test flights between Raleigh Executive Jetport, Pitt-Greenville Airport and MQI.
“Integrating these new aircraft into our airspace is an exciting step, and these demonstrations in North Carolina help ensure we do it safely,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “We’re taking the data and lessons learned to build a system that connects communities and creates more opportunities for jobs and essential services.”
“Rooted in our legacy as the First in Flight state, North Carolina is committed to shaping the future of aviation. Through eLIFT-NC, we’re exploring emerging technologies that can expand access, strengthen connections to rural communities and create new ways to move people and goods across our state,” said North Carolina Secretary of Transportation Daniel Johnson.
“It is fitting that the next generation of aviation technology will be taking to the skies in North Carolina. Today’s milestone shows how our state, private industry, and federal government can partner to unleash the power of American innovation, and I am grateful that advanced air mobility technologies can join the list of storied aircraft the Old North State has helped foster,” said North Carolina Senator Ted Budd.
“Aviation was born in Kitty Hawk, NC thanks to the determination and heroic efforts of the Wright Brothers. It is only fitting that the next generation of aircraft such as eVTOLs, autonomous planes and drones are tested in the birthplace of flight. Thank you to President Trump and Secretary Duffy for their leadership in the next frontier of aviation and for utilizing the legendary conditions of the Outer Banks to test this incredible technology,” said North Carolina Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D.
"120 years ago, North Carolina led the world in innovation when the Wright Brothers took flight for the first time. Today, North Carolina is once again leading the way in the next generation of aviation technology. I'm excited to see the new possibilities eVTOL aircraft will unlock for the American people, from connecting our small towns to major hubs to creating new jobs right here at home. I'm thankful to Secretary Duffy for his leadership in advancing the future of travel for all Americans,” said North Carolina Congressman Brad Knott.
“Over the past week, our aircraft flew more than 16 medical and disaster response missions between Raleigh Executive Jetport, Pitt-Greenville and Dare County Regional Airport,” said BETA Technologies Founder & CEO Kyle Clark. “We carried a field medical station and supplies along a route that connects the Research Triangle to North Carolina's coast, overcoming the distance that often prevents the movement of critical supplies, specialists and care in the times they are needed most. The FAA and U.S. DOT designed the eIPP to gather the data that will govern this industry, NC DOT brought these partners together to put e-LIFT to work under that framework, and Metro Aviation has flown every mission with us. Together, we are staging the future of routine medical and disaster response service across North Carolina.”
"From the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk to NCDOT's eLIFT-NC initiative today, North Carolina has always been where aviation's next chapter gets written. By conducting real-world flight operations here, we are showing how autonomous technology can support regional economies, lower transit costs, and bring the benefits of modern flight directly to communities that need it most," said Joby Aviation Chief Product Officer Eric Allison.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation and other eIPP participants are planning additional test flights throughout the rest of the year.
Additional Information:
In March, Secretary Duffy unveiled the eIPP program to begin testing advanced air mobility vehicles and their real-world applications. The eight selected projects span 28 states and partner with leading aircraft manufacturers, operators, and state partners, including:
- Urban air taxi services
- Regional passenger transportation (including short Takeoff and Landing aircraft)
- Cargo and logistics networks
- Emergency medical response operations
- Autonomous flight technologies
- Offshore and energy-sector transportation
The eIPP is a first-of-its-kind initiative outlined in President Trump’s Unleashing Drone Dominance Executive Order. It creates one of the nation’s largest real-world testing environments for next-generation aircraft with the potential to create jobs, connect communities, and strengthen American leadership in aviation.
Last year, Secretary Duffy and the FAA launched the nation’s first-ever advanced air mobility (AAM) strategy to unlock the future of flight. The Strategy and accompanying action plan outline 40 recommendations to safely and efficiently support AAM operations.
Contact:
Federal Aviation Administration Press Office
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591
United States
Email:
pressoffice@faa.gov
Source: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
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