The Utah Department of Transportation is leading uFLY, a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership aimed at safely accelerating the integration of advanced air mobility technologies into the National Airspace System. The program brings together industry leaders, research institutions, and five western states to test emerging aviation technologies in real-world environments.
The Federal Aviation Administration, through the U.S. Department of Transportation, selected UDOT to lead one of eight partnerships nationwide for the Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). This three-year initiative is designed to help safely integrate electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into the National Airspace System while generating insights to inform the future of advanced aviation.
As the lead agency, UDOT is coordinating a coalition of partners spanning Utah, Oklahoma, Oregon, Idaho, and Arizona. The program leverages the diverse geography of the West, including desert environments, rural communities, and mountain airports, to provide a proving ground for evaluating aviation technologies under real-world conditions.
The uFLY program aims to move advanced air mobility technologies from the concept stage to real-world application. Through research, testing, and collaboration, the initiative seeks to identify the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating new aircraft and operations into existing aviation ecosystems and communities.
Upcoming flight demonstrations and technology showcases will highlight the work occurring through the program. Scheduled demonstrations include an Ampaire demonstration on Aug. 6, 2026, a Joby Aviation demonstration on Sept. 30, 2026, and a BETA Technologies demonstration on Oct. 7, 2026.
