美国运输部长宣布新墨西哥州先进空中交通演示飞行

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy  has announced New Mexico’s first demonstration flights under the US Department of Transportation’s Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). The flights took place last week at Albuquerque International Sunport on October 19th, with the city’s aviation department and Reliable Robotics testing cargo operations using a remotely piloted Cessna 208B Caravan.

Reliable Robotics chief executive Robert Rose said the work was intended to help establish a pathway for integrating autonomous operations into higher-density airspace. The FAA may use data gathered through the programme to inform future regulations and operational requirements.

New Mexico is the sixth location to begin demonstrations under the national programme, which aims to gather operational data on advanced aircraft and support their eventual integration into the US National Airspace System.

Although the programme includes electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, autonomous planes and drones, the Albuquerque demonstration focused on remotely piloted conventional aircraft. The programme is designed to test emerging aircraft and operational concepts in real-world conditions rather than relying solely on laboratory work or conventional flight testing.

Albuquerque is one of eight project leads selected for the eIPP. Announced in March, the initiative covers projects across 28 states and involves aircraft manufacturers, operators and state and local partners. The planned activities span urban air taxi services, regional passenger transport, cargo logistics, emergency medical operations, autonomous flight and offshore transportation.

Further demonstrations in Albuquerque are planned for the remainder of 2026. The FAA will assess data from the participating projects as it considers the procedures and regulatory frameworks needed to support wider use of advanced air mobility technologies. The programme’s scope includes both new aircraft designs and technologies, such as remote and autonomous operation, that could change how existing aircraft are used.

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