Solving that challenge is doubly important for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Bengaluru-based startup Sarla Aviation unveiled its prototype Shunya air taxi on Jan. 20.

But despite the high hopes, industry watchers generally agree that air taxi operations will not be profitable until they reach scale.

Planned for the summer, the flight will involve Beta’s conventional-takeoff-and-landing Alia CTOL.

Heart’s full-scale demonstrator has arrived in the U.S. as the Swedish startup prepares to conduct the first flight of the 105-ft.-span electric aircraft.

With the first eVTOL air taxis expected to enter into service as soon as this year, industry stakeholders are racing to assemble the pieces for a smooth launch.

The FAA plans to conduct additional flight testing with eVTOL OEMs as it works to develop unified performance-based design rules for vertiports and heliports.

Wisk’s Vice President for Certification Cindy Comer recently caught up with Aviation week to discuss the company’s progress toward its G-1 certification basis.