Regulations and Government
The Not-so-New Vision of Air Taxis
While the promise is renewed, air taxis have been here for some time.
Joby aircraft sunset
The first production prototype of the Joby eVTOL, which will likely be one of the first eVTOL air taxis in the U.S. (Photo:Joby)

Last May, the FAA released an airspace blueprint as guidance to potential changes to airspace and procedures in the accommodation of future eVTOL air taxis. A short accompanying video noted that air taxis would operate initially in the existing helicopter and heli-path structure, require onboard pilots actively flying the aircraft, and follow all applicable aviation regulations.

If this all sounds familiar, it is; it is similar to how air taxis, regulated by Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and including fixed-wing aircraft, have operated for decades.