Is the US Ready for Air Taxis?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is moving ahead with plans for companies to develop air taxis.

In fact, the FAA has already released a set of blueprints or schematics on how it would navigate the airspace increase. Some companies who have an air taxi in development said they would like to deliver it by 2025. Clearly, the FAA is preparing for such an eventuality.

The air taxis will run much shorter distances and use helipads, and take off and land critically, as opposed to planes.

Yes, they are different, but they still have to share the same airspace. Hence, the ongoing preparation. Acting FAA administrator Billy Nolen helped develop the plan to share the airspace with NASA.

The air taxis are expected to have their own rules, so as not to interfere with commercial airlines.

United Airlines has already announced plans to have an air taxi service at major airports in major cities in a couple of years. There are expected to be several adaptations of the blueprints going forward.

“The operational blueprint is a key step — along with certifying the aircraft and pilots — in the FAA’s effort to safely usher in and support this next era of aviation,” the FAA said in a statement. “The blueprint aims to provide a common frame of reference to the FAA, NASA and the industry to help guide their research and decision-making.”