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The Air Current • Elan Head

Why Joby, Archer and Beta’s FAA certification is taking so long

Joby, Archer and Beta are locked in an extended FAA certification slog as regulators and manufacturers reconcile novel eVTOL designs with legacy certification frameworks. The mismatch between new technology and longstanding bureaucracy is elongating approval timelines, forcing developers to grind through complex means‑of‑compliance work before commercial operations.

2026-03-16T11:19:05.554857-07:00

Vertical Mag

DOT and FAA pick eight teams — including Archer, Wisk, Beta and Joby — for nationwide eVTOL integration pilots

2026-03-09T13:23:57.755497-07:00

Business Wire

White House selects Joby and Wisk for DOT/FAA Advanced Air Mobility pilot programme across 26 states

2026-03-09T17:51:26.574890-07:00

AINonline

Loganair completes UK’s first commercial all‑electric flight using BETA ALIA on Glasgow–Dundee mail run

2026-03-19T10:30:02.439454-07:00

News Timeline

AINonline

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Loganair completes UK’s first commercial all‑electric flight using BETA ALIA on Glasgow–Dundee mail run On 19–20 March 2026 Loganair operated BETA Technologies' ALIA CTOL battery‑electric demonstrator between Glasgow and Dundee, completing the UK's first commercial all‑electric airline flight. The sortie is part of a two‑week test campaign using initial mail‑delivery runs to remote Scottish communities to validate operations.

2026-03-19T10:30:02.439454-07:00

Loganair completes UK’s first commercial all‑electric flight using BETA ALIA on Glasgow–Dundee mail run

The Air Current

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Why Joby, Archer and Beta’s FAA certification is taking so long Joby, Archer and Beta are locked in an extended FAA certification slog as regulators and manufacturers reconcile novel eVTOL designs with legacy certification frameworks. The mismatch between new technology and longstanding bureaucracy is elongating approval timelines, forcing developers to grind through complex means‑of‑compliance work before commercial operations.

2026-03-16T11:19:05.554857-07:00

Why Joby, Archer and Beta’s FAA certification is taking so long

Business Wire

Surf Air and BETA to launch first commercial all‑electric ALIA passenger service; Surf Air signs for up to 100 aircraft Surf Air Mobility and BETA Technologies have partnered to launch the first commercial all‑electric passenger service using BETA's ALIA aircraft. Surf Air signed a purchase agreement for up to 100 ALIA airframes (25 firm, 75 options) to support planned fleet and route expansion.

2026-03-12T04:21:45.340039-07:00

Surf Air and BETA to launch first commercial all‑electric ALIA passenger service; Surf Air signs for up to 100 aircraft

Business Wire

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White House selects Joby and Wisk for DOT/FAA Advanced Air Mobility pilot programme across 26 states The U.S. Department of Transportation and FAA, backed by the White House, selected Joby Aviation and Wisk Aero (with Texas) to lead Advanced Air Mobility pilot programmes integrating piloted eVTOLs and autonomous air taxis into the national airspace. Regulators approved trials across 26 states to advance operations and safety.

2026-03-09T17:51:26.574890-07:00

White House selects Joby and Wisk for DOT/FAA Advanced Air Mobility pilot programme across 26 states

Reuters

Beta accelerates Alia MV250 military cargo drone; first flight moved up six months to this year Beta Technologies has accelerated development of its Alia MV250 military cargo drone by six months, moving the program's first flight to this year, CEO Kyle Clark told Reuters. The schedule push follows recent FAA grant support and advances Beta's defense logistics ambitions.

2026-03-09T15:03:23.098305-07:00

Beta accelerates Alia MV250 military cargo drone; first flight moved up six months to this year

Vertical Mag

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DOT and FAA pick eight teams — including Archer, Wisk, Beta and Joby — for nationwide eVTOL integration pilots The U.S. Department of Transportation and FAA selected eight state and local proposals for the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), partnering with manufacturers such as Archer, Wisk, Beta and Joby. Limited cargo and passenger eVTOL operations under these pilots are expected to begin by summer 2026.

2026-03-09T13:23:57.755497-07:00

DOT and FAA pick eight teams — including Archer, Wisk, Beta and Joby — for nationwide eVTOL integration pilots

Aviation Week

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Air New Zealand and BETA complete ALIA CX300 electric demonstrator campaign in New Zealand Air New Zealand and BETA Technologies have completed a four‑month Next Generation Aircraft Technical Demonstrator Programme in New Zealand, flying the battery‑electric ALIA CX300 in more than 100 sorties to evaluate operational integration, procedures and performance in the country's aviation system.

2026-02-17T06:14:27.765241-08:00

Air New Zealand and BETA complete ALIA CX300 electric demonstrator campaign in New Zealand

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Beta Technologies News

Why Joby, Archer and Beta’s FAA certification is taking so long

DOT and FAA pick eight teams — including Archer, Wisk, Beta and Joby — for nationwide eVTOL integration pilots

White House selects Joby and Wisk for DOT/FAA Advanced Air Mobility pilot programme across 26 states

Loganair completes UK’s first commercial all‑electric flight using BETA ALIA on Glasgow–Dundee mail run

News Timeline