FAA Launches Texas eVTOL Flights Under Project Nexus eIPP

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched the first Texas-based demonstration flights for the Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) on September 10, 2026. The initiative, locally designated as Project Nexus, brings together the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Joby Aviation, and BETA Technologies to conduct a week-long flight campaign out of Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW).

Data gathered during these operations will assist the FAA in developing regulations for integrating electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into the national airspace system at commercial scale. The Texas flight campaign is scheduled to run through September 14, 2026, and includes planned routes connecting AFW to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and regional locations in Arlington.

Project Nexus and state-led integration

Texas is the sixth location to commence operations under the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) eIPP initiative. The federal government selected eight state-led projects for the program on March 9, 2026, aiming to create real-world testing environments for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technology.

In a press release issued by the FAA, Secretary Duffy highlighted the economic and technological goals of the pilot program.

“Under President Trump, we are unlocking the future of flight and empowering innovators to build and test these exciting aircraft here in the U.S. Today marks another critical step in our work to reshape how people and products move faster and more efficiently,” Duffy stated.

State officials emphasized the regional benefits of the testing phase. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz noted that the technologies tested through Project Nexus will connect communities and strengthen supply chains. Texas Transportation Commissioner Steven D. Alvis added that the program places the state at the forefront of a transformational moment in aviation, ensuring the transportation system scales with economic growth.

Industry participation and infrastructure expansion

The operational phase of Project Nexus relies on hardware and infrastructure from leading AAM developers. Joby Aviation and BETA Technologies are the primary operators for the Dallas-Fort Worth flight campaign. To support its long-term operating presence in North-America, Joby Aviation opened a new 45,000-square-foot facility at AFW.

Alongside its eVTOL platforms, Joby is utilizing the eIPP framework to demonstrate autonomous capabilities. The company launched a coast-to-coast tour of its autonomous J208 aircraft, a converted Cessna Caravan, to showcase civil and defense applications. Joby Aviation Founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt stated that autonomous flight can transform the delivery of essential supplies and emergency response operations, noting that the technology has already been demonstrated in military exercises.

Regulatory framework and eIPP milestones

The eIPP serves as an extension of the FAA BEYOND initiative, which was established to accelerate lawful eVTOL operations and build a data foundation for commercial scaling. The regulatory groundwork for the current flights began on June 6, 2025, with the signing of Executive Order 14307, which directed federal agencies to prioritize domestic drone and AAM development. Secretary Duffy subsequently unveiled the eIPP framework on September 12, 2025.

The Texas flights follow several milestones for the federal program. In June 2026, Secretary Duffy became the first U.S. Transportation Secretary to fly in an eVTOL aircraft when he flew in a BETA Technologies ALIA in Vermont. In August 2026, the FAA oversaw hybrid-electric demonstration flights by Electra, which connected small local airports to major airline hubs across Virginia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

AirPro News analysis

We view the inclusion of DFW in the Project Nexus flight routing as a critical stress test for AAM integration. Operating experimental or newly certified eVTOL aircraft in the immediate vicinity of a major Class B airspace hub requires precise coordination with air traffic control and legacy commercial traffic. The data generated from these specific routes will likely form the backbone of the FAA airspace integration rules for urban air mobility. Joby Aviation establishing a permanent 45,000-square-foot footprint at AFW also indicates that manufacturers are transitioning from temporary demonstration tours to sustained regional operations.

Sources: Federal Aviation Administration