U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy selects Utah to lead pilot program that will shape the future of aviation

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) led a multi-state letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation underscoring that the Utah Department of Transportation is ready to lead a multi-state coalition for the Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), entitled uFLY: America's AAM Crossroads to the West.

eVTOL tech is transforming aviation, and Utah is now one of the eight states tasked to lead. That means high-quality jobs, major investment, and a direct role in shaping the future of aviation.

"America wins when Utah leads. As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure committee, I am proud to lead a multi-state initiative to the U.S. Department of Transportation to highlight how Utah is prepared to lead the charge in aviation innovation," said Congressman Mike Kennedy . "eVTOL tech is transforming aviation and Utah is ready to take the lead as one of the eight selected states."

"The U.S. is leading the future of flight, and Utah is at the center of that innovation," said Senator John Curtis . "Congratulations to the Utah Department of Transportation on being selected for the FAA's new Advanced Air Mobility pilot program. This first-of-its-kind initiative will bring next-gen aircraft and high-paying jobs to Utah and will help prepare our state to hold a successful Winter Olympics in 2034."

This program, which was outlined in President Trump's Unleashing Drone Dominance Executive Order, is accelerating the safe integration of next-generation Advanced Air Mobility aircraft into the national airspace and ensuring the United States leads the way in aviation innovation.

Together, these pilot projects will create one of the largest real-world testing environments for next-generation aircraft in the world. In addition to offering the American people an exciting window into the future of aviation, data from the pilot projects will be used by the FAA to develop new regulations that safely enable this futuristic technology at scale.

"Thanks to President Trump, the future of aviation is here - and it's going to dramatically improve how people and products move," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy . "Congratulations to the great American innovators behind each of these exciting pilot programs. Working together, we will ensure America leads the way in safely leveraging next-gen aircraft to radically redefine personal travel, regional transportation, cargo logistics, emergency medicine, and so much more."

The Utah Department of Transportation will lead the initiative known as uFLY with Oregon, Idaho, Arizona and Oklahoma, along with industry partners and research institutions, to test new aviation technologies and gather data that will help shape the future of flight in the United States.

"Our job is to look ahead and prepare for what transportation will look like in the future," said UDOT Executive Director Carlos Braceras . "This partnership allows Utah to help lead the way as new aviation technologies become part of everyday mobility."

The American public will start to see operations begin under this program by summer 2026.

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