Flying Taxi Network Planned for UtahFlying Taxi Network Planned for Utah

Air taxi developer Beta Technologies has signed an agreement with 47G Utah Aerospace and Defense to launch advanced air mobility (AAM) operations across the state.

The two organizations plan to identify the best routes for electric aerial vehicle (EAV) operations.

One example cited in the announcement would be traveling from Provo to Salt Lake City as well as other flights to and from Salt Lake City.

As part of the AAM approach, Beta would build out its multimodal electric charging infrastructure and determine locations for EAV demonstrations and pilot training.

The EAVs would start with eCTOL (electric conventional takeoff and landing) vehicles followed by eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicles.

“Utah has a long history of excellence in aerospace and defense, in fact, many of our partners are building parts for our aircraft right here in the state,” said Kyle Clark, Beta founder and CEO. “There is a spirit of innovation and commitment to progress here that has driven a pretty exceptional transformation over the past decade, so this focus on preparing for the future comes as no surprise. Governor Cox and the team at 47G have a compelling vision for how AAM can reshape transportation to increase access and connect communities across the state, and Beta is excited to help bring this new mode of transport to Utahns.”

Related:Air Taxi Company Makes First Flight Test; Production Vehicle

Beta last year completed the first flight of its production line EAV, the Beta Alia eCTOL manufactured at the Beta production facility in Burlington, Vermont.

A multipurpose special airworthiness certificate for experimental research and development was granted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following its inspection of the EAV.

The test flight last year was conducted by Beta founder and CEO Kyle Clark, who also is a test pilot. 

The flight included takeoff, climbing to 7,000 feet, “handling qualities evaluation, stability and control test points and initial airspeed expansion prior to flying several approaches and a normal landing,” according to the company.   

Many EAVs are eVTOLs, which do not require traditional runways, since they take off and land straight up and down.

Beta most recently raised $318 million, bringing the total raised to more than $1 billion.

That funding was led by QIA, one of Beta’s largest investors, along with Fidelity Management and Research Company, TPG Rise Climate and United Therapeutics.

The passenger-carrying EAV would be used for intra-city and regional transportation.

Beta has received an order for 20 EAVs from Metro Aviation, an air medical operator that operates in 27 states, which plans to use the flying vehicles for air medical operations.

Related:Flying Taxi Company Raises Another $318M; $1B Total

Metro plans to integrate the Alia into its fleet to increase access to rural and urban areas and to provide inter-hospital and scene transport.

The lower operational costs and increased utility are expected to allow eVTOL vehicles to offer better transport opportunities than current medical transportation methods.

The Beta EAV is designed to carry five passengers, a pilot and carry-on luggage.

The passenger version of the EAV is expected to launch after the Beta cargo and medical versions, targeted for this year.

Beta is also in the electric charging business, having installed aircraft electric charging stations at Eglin Air Force Base,Tallahassee International Airport, Gainesville Regional Airport and Bob Sikes Airport.

Beta has added more than 35 charging stations along the east, west and gulf coasts with each Florida installation including a level three fast charger located inside the fence, known as airside, for use by EAVs and electric airport ground vehicles, and a level two charger outside the fence, known as landside, for ground EVs.

Beta chargers have been purchased by Archer Aviation, Atlantic Aviation, Signature Aviation, AvFlight, and the Department of Defense.

Related:Flying Taxi Company Selling 20 Vehicles for Air Medical Operations

Beta is also installing charging stations outside Florida in partnership with airports and other partners across the U.S. 

Beta won a $20 million federal contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response to install EAV chargers in rural areas along the east and gulf coasts.

The contract would allow Beta to build charging stations to enable an emergency preparedness platform for the federal department to establish a cost-effective network to deliver equipment, pharmaceuticals and patients, even in remote areas.

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Beta also received a $2.6 million grant from the state of Michigan to help scale AAM, which came via Michigan’s AAM Activation Fund to create a centralized pipeline of projects to drive AAM growth in the state. 

In late 2023, Beta was granted $20 million from the Clinton County from Empire State Development’s Regional Economic and Community Assistance Program in New York to expand its operations at Plattsburgh International Airport.

The facility is intended to become the manufacturing and final assembly hub for Beta’s EAV and to create a permanent flight test and delivery center, for final flight testing, vehicle painting and customer delivery.

Beta has orders for its flying vehicles from UPS, United Therapeutics, which is also an investor, and Bristow and has contracts with the U.S. Air Force and Army.

Blade ordered up to 20 of Beta EAV in 2021 and LCI has announced it will be using Beta flying vehicles to move guests at the Aria Hotels in Greece. Helijet has placed an order for four eVTOLs for cargo and passenger missions. 

Beta also was approved for a $169 million loan to finance its net-zero final assembly production facility from the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

The 188,500 square foot manufacturing facility opened in 2023 at the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport, where Beta plans to build its eVTOL and CTOL vehicles.

The production facility, on a 40-acre site at the airport, could ultimately produce 300 EAVs a year, according to the company.

Beta has partnered with AFWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Air Force that leverages the Air Force Research Laboratory for this program.

Vertiport facilities to manage the takeoff, landing, charging and maintenance of such vehicles are being established by companies such as Florida-based Aeroauto Global, which is also developing retail showrooms for flying vehicle sales.