US state launches air taxi for people and packages, giving a “preview of our future” in unprecedented demonstration

A preview of a new air taxi service launched this week in a major city, promising to transport people and packages to their desired locations.

The Utah Department of Transportation and Utah State University launched the state’s first air taxi service on May 20.

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A Bell 505 helicopter was used for a sneak peek, showing off its ability to land near homes and businesses.

An air taxi is close to what one might imagine a flying car would be, a vehicle capable of transporting a few people to take off or land on a small piece of land.

At the time of this writing, there are no air taxis in operation in the U.S., but several companies are developing small electronic air taxis, called vertical electric air taxis. take off and landing.

“The successful launch of a simulated air taxi from a vertiport gives us a preview of our future,” said Paul Damron, UDOT advanced air mobility manager, in an affirmation.

“We plan to create a well-functioning air transportation system that connects safely and seamlessly with the ground transportation system.

“This vertiport demo shows how integration can be done well.”

There were years of research to find safe locations for vertiports – an area used for aircraft that transport people and packages.

A vertiport can be a parking lot, a rooftop or even a traditional airport.

“Our main objective was to identify locations for air taxis and air package delivery that would minimize impacts to houses and business, balancing security and opportunity,” Dr. Brent Chamberlain, USU Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture Architecture and Environmental Planning.

“We determined that there are many ideal vertiport locations in the region that could fit seamlessly into the local community fabric, supporting essential commerce and services.”

For the fiscal 2025 budget, Governor Spencer Cox requested $1.9 million in funding for air transportation investments.

The Utah Legislature funded the request.

UDOT collaborated with public and private sector partners to create a “regulatory sandbox” to test advanced air mobility technology across the state, according to a press release.

Last year, UDOT Director of Aeronautics Matt Maass told the Salt Lake City Tribune that air taxis were aimed at mass deployment and would not be a luxury just for the rich.

“Manufacturers say they want to build on a scale that is not just for the rich,” he told the outlet.

“They want this so that anyone can participate in this.”

It’s unclear how high the taxis will fly, as the Federal Aviation Administration controls everything on the ground, Maass said.

It has not yet been determined whether or not air taxis will remain under the 400-foot lever, similar to drones, or have a higher level.

However, Maass said they should be able to fly over mountains and serve ski resorts.

“Cutting-edge technologies like air taxis and package delivery will make all of our lives better,” Maass said.

“With this demonstration, we are leading yet another innovation that brings us one step closer to creating an air transportation system that all Utahns can enjoy.”