BETA joins FAA pilot to launch electric aircraft operations in US

BETA Technologies has been selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration to begin aircraft deliveries and operations under the newly launched eVTOL Integration Pilot Programme (eIPP), marking a step in the United States’ effort to introduce electric aviation into commercial use.

The Vermont-based electric aerospace company will participate in seven of the eight launch programmes under the initiative. The programme has been structured to accelerate the deployment of electric and vertical flight technologies across the country while enabling regulators and operators to test operational frameworks in real-world conditions.

BETA’s participation will see its aircraft deployed across at least 10 states as part of the initial programmes, with operations expected to extend across 26 states as the initiative expands. The deployments will involve the company’s ALIA CTOL and ALIA VTOL aircraft as well as supporting infrastructure, including its charging systems and ground support equipment.

The company plans to follow a phased approach to operations, beginning with conventional take-off and landing aircraft before introducing vertical take-off and landing aircraft. This sequence aligns with BETA’s broader strategy for entry into service as well as its operational rollout under the federal pilot programme.

The pilot projects will focus on cargo logistics, medical supply transport and healthcare-related missions, reflecting early use cases for electric aircraft in regional and community-based transport networks.

In New York, BETA will conduct cargo and medical logistics missions in upstate New York and Vermont with Metro Aviation and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In Texas, the company will carry out medical supply distribution and cargo logistics operations with Metro Aviation, Bristow Group and Future Flight Global.

Operations in Utah will involve cargo and medical logistics services for rural communities in partnership with UPS, Alpine Air Express and Bristow Group. In Maryland and Virginia, BETA will support organ delivery logistics with United Therapeutics as part of the Multistate Collaborative partnership.

In Louisiana, the company will work with Bristow Group and Metro Aviation to support logistics operations linked to offshore energy production in the Gulf of America while also improving medical access in rural areas. Florida operations will focus on cargo and medical logistics missions in partnership with Republic Airways and Metro Aviation to improve connectivity between urban and rural communities.

North Carolina will host operations aimed at strengthening healthcare access and disaster response logistics through partnerships with UPS and Metro Aviation.

“This programme is a bold signal of America’s commitment to maintaining our leadership position in aerospace,” said Kyle Clark, BETA’s Founder and CEO. “Being selected for more applications than any other OEM is a testament to our safe and reliable operations and this team’s ability to deliver. Our aircraft will carry out a range of missions, from critical cargo and medical to passengers. With our production facility already online, we’re positioned to manufacture and deploy aircraft now. This programme will allow us to begin those missions, bringing connectivity and access to communities across the U.S.”

Kristen Costello, Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs at BETA, said the programme reflects long-term collaboration between the company, regulators and operating partners.

“For years, we’ve been building out our charge network, forging relationships with state DOTs, and partnering with leading operators with this vision of AAM in mind,” said Costello. “We look forward to bringing that vision to reality and applaud the FAA and U.S. Department of Transportation on this forward-leaning initiative.”

BETA’s inclusion in the programme follows several years of flight testing and operational demonstrations. The company reported that its ALIA aircraft surpassed 125,000 nautical flight miles in late 2025.

The company has also conducted demonstration flights across the United States and in several international markets, including Europe, Norway and New Zealand. Alongside aircraft development, BETA is building a network of electric aviation charging infrastructure designed to support aircraft operations across multiple sectors, including cargo, medical services and passenger transport.

The pilot programme is expected to provide operators and regulators with operational data and experience as electric aircraft systems move toward commercial deployment.