Role of eVTOLs, hybrid VTOLs and AAM
While the President’s June 6th 2025 executive order was titled: “UNLEASHING AMERICAN DRONE DOMINANCE”, there was a significant section concerning eVTOLs, hybrid VTOLs and AAM (advanced air mobility). The significance of this Executive Order cannot be understated.
Many leaders in the aerospace industry, particularly those in the next generation aerospace industry, saw the executive order as a confirmation of the trajectory and destiny of an aerospace industry having eVTOLs and hybrid VTOLs dominate the skies, and serving the local communities throughout the country in various crucial roles:
“The Executive Order recognizes what many of us in the aerospace industry see clearly every day: the future of air mobility — both civilian and defense — depends on agility and vertical, runway-independent capability.” – Scott Pomeroy, Chairman and CEO of XTI Aerospace.
“We welcome @realDonaldTrump’s Executive Order on drone dominance, particularly its support for rapid eVTOL integration.” – Joby comment on X
This Executive Order is a seminal moment for Archer and the eVTOL industry. We now have the strongest balance sheet in the sector and the resources we need to execute both here in the U.S. and abroad. Archer’s future couldn’t be any brighter.” – Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer
After the Executive Order, Archer was able to raise $850M from the sale of 85,000,000 shares of Class A common stock at $10.00 per share.
Historical Background
As explained in great detail in one of our first articles titled: Trump promises VTOL aircraft “revolution”, it was during the 2023 CPAC convention that President Trump (then a Former President preparing for his 2024 campaign) proclaimed his mission for promoting VTOL aircraft to help young families commute between more affordable homes in rural areas and the expensive urban areas where they can find work, as well as make VTOLs more widespread and accessible in America.
“Dozens of major companies in the United States and China are racing to develop vertical takeoff and landing vehicles for families and individuals. Just as the United States led the automotive revolution in the last century, I want to ensure that America, not China, leads this revolution in air mobility.”– (then Former) President Donald J. Trump during the 2023 CPAC convention
Bipartisanship and the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024
Indeed the eVTOL and hybrid VTOL revolution is a true parallel to the automobile revolution of the previous century, and the close ties that currently exist between the automotive industry and the eVTOL/hybrid VTOL manufacturers will be highlighted further in this article. However, for America to lead this “VTOL revolution” with eVTOL and “drone dominance”, there needs to be genuine bipartisanship.
Fortunately, the eVTOL industry has just that! On September 7, 2023, President Joe Biden nominated the Chief Commercial Officer at eVTOL manufacturer Supernal, Mike Whitaker to the position of Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Supernal, being a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company, is in a similar situation to its major peers Archer and Joby regarding close ties to the automotive industry. Archer has substantial financial and business cooperation with Stelantis, just as Joby has with Toyota. The mass production, part supplier network, buying/negotiation power, scalability, and engineering expertise of these automotive giants is very beneficial to eVTOL companies that plan on filling the skies with their aircrafts.
Both of these peers of Supernal (Joby and Archer) congratulated Mike Whitaker, knowing how great this would be the the eVTOL industry to have him as FAA Administrator:
“Mike Whitaker’s unanimous confirmation by the Senate to be the @FAANews Administrator speaks to the strength of his qualifications and leadership. His experience working across the traditional aviation and eVTOL aircraft industries signals a recognition that our country is poised to lead the commercialization of advanced air mobility with electric air taxis preparing to safely enter the airspace in 2025.” – Archer Aviation’s post on X (October 24, 2023)
Joby even mentioned the bipartisan confirmation of Mike Whitaker in a post on X congratulating him after his confirmation:
We applaud the Senate’s bipartisan, unanimous confirmation of Mike Whitaker as the next FAA Administrator. The US leads the world in aviation safety, innovation, and regulation, and this confirmation will provide the strong and steady leadership to ensure that continues.” – Joby Aviation’s post on X (October 24, 2023)
Wisk, the electric CTOL subsidiary of aerospace giant Boeing, also congratulated Mr. Whitaker:
“Wisk applauds the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of the next Administrator of @FAANews. We look forward to working with Administrator Michael Whitaker as he leads the agency into a new era of #aviation – one that is electric, sustainable, autonomous, and safer than ever.“
Then last year on May 16th 2024 under the Biden Administration, the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act was signed into law which will run through FY2028. Two prominent FFA leaders; serving in the FAA under different administrations (and political parties) praised the bill. Michael Huerta served under the Obama administration and early Trump administration from 2011 to 2018 as the FAA Administrator, and before that as Deputy Administrator from 2010 to 2011. Dan Elwell served under the first Trump Administration as FAA Deputy Administrator from 2017 to 2020, and before that under the Bush Administration from 2006 to 2008 as the FAA Assistant Administrator for Policy, Planning, and Environment.
These two aviation leaders, Michael Huerta (being a member of the Board of Directors for both Delta Air Lines and Joby Aviation), and Dan Elwell (as a member of Joby’s Board of Advisors) co-wrote a statement on Joby’s official blog about the FAA Reauthorization Act:
“As former FAA leaders who helmed the agency for almost eight consecutive years, we believe today’s passage of the 2024 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act is a moment of celebration for the U.S. aviation industry that harkens back to the creation of the agency in the 1950s. By directing the FAA to prioritize the commercialization of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), this Congress has implemented foundational legislation that sets the stage for U.S. leadership in the next hundred years of aviation.” – Michael Huerta (member of the Board of Directors for both Delta Air Lines and Joby Aviation), and Dan Elwell ( member of Joby’s Board of Advisors)
Furthermore, as the authors correctly stated, the FAA Authorization Act of 2024 allowed the US to get a good start and gain a lead in AAM in the “electric age of aviation”:
“This landmark legislation is a recognition of the progress that dozens of American companies, including Joby, have made to mature electric propulsion systems and new types of aircraft. By mandating the FAA to lean into AAM, Congress aims to ensure that the FAA will serve as a driving force for innovation and continued U.S. leadership while keeping safety at the heart of its mission.”…… This act of Congress places the United States at the forefront of the electric age of aviation, which will bring noise and emissions benefits to communities while creating manufacturing and aviation jobs.”……- Michael Huerta and Dan Elwell
Cooperation Across the Industry
Another important aspect is the need for deep collaboration between all the trade organizations and other partners within the industry. Archer asserts that collaboration between different industry players will be vital for the success of the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program and for the United States to fulfill its goal of achieving “dominance” in this innovative sector of aviation.
“Archer believes cross-industry collaboration will be the key to the success of the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program and the U.S. achieving its goal of “dominance” within this new category of aircraft.” – June 12 2025 press release from Archer Aviation
This was echoed by Michael Huerta and Dan Elwell, in their May 2024 statement regarding the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act:
“Passage of the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act is the result of close collaboration across the aviation industry, including key trade organizations like the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), Vertical Aviation International (VAI) and the Vertical Flight Society (VFS).” – Michael Huerta (member of the Board of Directors for both Delta Air Lines and Joby Aviation), and Dan Elwell ( member of Joby’s Board of Advisors)
FAA and Department of Transportation
Section 6 of the Executive Order:
Sec. 6. Establishment of an Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Pilot Program. (a) The Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the FAA, and in coordination with the Director of OSTP, shall establish the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) as an extension of the BEYOND program to accelerate the deployment of safe and lawful eVTOL operations in the United States.
Sec. 6(i)
(i) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the FAA, shall issue a public request for proposals to State, local, tribal, and territorial governments. Proposals must be submitted within 90 days of the request and include a private sector partner with demonstrated experience in eVTOL aircraft development, manufacturing, and operations.
5 Pilot Projects for Cargo, medical response, and rural access
XTI’s Aerospace Chairman and CEO, Scott Pomeroy highlighted the role of VTOL aircraft on cargo, and medical & disaster response, which was mentioned in Sec. 6.(ii) of the Executive Order:
“VTOL aircraft are not only central to next-generation UAS (drone) platforms and urban air mobility applications but also air medical, disaster response, military, cargo logistics, and emergency preparedness.” – said Scott Pomeroy, Chairman and CEO of XTI Aerospace.
Sec. 6(ii)
(ii) Within 180 days of the request, the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the FAA, shall select at least five pilot projects that plan to begin eVTOL operations within 90 days after the date on which any agreement for a pilot project is established. Selection criteria shall include, at a minimum, the use of eVTOL aircraft and technologies developed or offered by a United States-based entity; overall representation of economic and geographic operations and proposed models of public-private partnership; and overall representation of the operations to be conducted, including advanced air mobility, medical response, cargo transport, and rural access.
Administration and regulatory tasks
While Sec.6 (ii) concerns the uses of eVTOL aircraft, Sec.6(iii) through (vii) concerned the regulation, funding, planning, and other tasks for the FAA and Department of Transportation:
(iii) The Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the FAA, shall execute agreements with selected applicants, outlining project goals, regulatory needs, timelines, information sharing and data exchange mechanisms, and responsibilities. The Secretary of Transportation shall use all available authorities to the fullest extent to support safe and timely operations under the eIPP.
Joby wrote in a post on X that eVTOLs will be the “next era of aviation”, and the FAA and U.S. government are prepared to make America the leader in this new technology.
From the very top to the working levels of the @FAA, the U.S. government is aligned to make sure our nation leads this next era of aviation. – Joby comment on X
Sec. 6(iv) – (vi)
(iv) Within 180 days after the selection of pilot program participants, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit an initial implementation report to the President through the Director of OSTP, summarizing early-stage planning, interagency coordination, and any immediate regulatory or legislative challenges identified. The Secretary of Transportation shall submit an annual report thereafter and, upon program completion, shall submit a final report to the President, through the Director of OSTP, that includes, at a minimum, an evaluation of program goals and outcomes; recommendations for the permanent integration of eVTOL operations into the national airspace; and any proposed future initiatives to maintain United States leadership in eVTOL flight.
(v) The eIPP shall conclude 3 years after the date the first pilot project becomes operational, unless the Secretary of Transportation determines that an extension is warranted in the national interest.
(vi) Before and after the conclusion of the eIPP, the Secretary of Transportation shall use the information and experience yielded by the eIPP to inform the development of regulations, initiatives, and plans to enable safe eVTOL operations, and shall, as appropriate, share information with the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the heads of other relevant agencies.
Chris Rocheleau , the acting FAA administrator, and Sean P. Duffy, the US Secretary of Transportation will be in attendance at the Paris Air Show this week. Archer CEO and founder Adam Goldstein is scheduled to meet with them at the show, where Archer will display its Midnight eVTOL aircraft.
Sean Duffy stated in his opening statement before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Nomination Hearing:
“Transportation is entering an extraordinary new era. From eVTOLs, drones and autonomous vehicles to space travel, we are in a global race to out-innovate the rest of the world. If confirmed, we will craft clear regulations that balance safety, innovation, and cutting-edge technology.” – Sean P. Duffy’s Opening Statement before the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Nomination Hearing
Sec. 6(vii)
(vii) The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Director of OSTP, may expand this pilot program to other advanced aviation aircraft as warranted.
What does it all mean?
As we can see, the US government is opening its eyes to the endless potential of eVTOL and hybrid VTOL technology in shaping our new reality and lives, similarly to how the emergence of the automobile more than 100 years ago permanently shaped American life and even our culture. The United States needs to capitalize on its current position, size/scalability, economy, access to capital, and existing scientific institutions so that the momentum doesn’t slow down and stagnate. The future of America will depend on how well we adapt to this emerging technology that allows for cheaper and safer emergency medical transportation, search and rescue, air-taxi services, cargo, and supply & transportation accessibility to our rural communities.
We can also learn from the tragedy with Lilium, and the failures at the local and federal governments of Germany in turning their backs on the future of aviation. The potential is within America and its up to industry partners, local and federal governments, investors, and all players to do their part into making sure that the eVTOL and hybrid VTOL sector takes the right trajectory to take us to the future of a new “electric” age of AAM.
This June 6th 2025 Executive Order titled “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” is another step in many yet to come from the US government for the purpose of not just “unleashing drone dominance”, but letting the eVTOL and hybrid VTOL birds fly out of their cages (hangars) and into the big American skies!
eVTOL and hybrid VTOL Manufacturers in the United States
Below is a list of eVTOL and hybrid VTOL manufacturers that stand to gain from policies that promote American based manufacturing:
- Based in Englewood, Colorado
- NASDAQ: XTIA
- Produces Hybrid-Electric VTOL aircraft Trifan 600
- CTOL range of 750 nm (850 sm/1400 km)
- VTOL range of 600 nm (700 sm/1100 km)
- Based in San Jose, California
- NYSE: ACHR
- eVTOL and hybrid VTOL manufacturer
Beta Technologies
- Based in South Burlington, Vermont
- eVTOL and eCTOL aircraft manufacturer
- Based in Santa Cruz, California
- NYSE: JOBY
- 4 passenger S4 eVTOL
- has flown hydrogen powered hybrid VTOL variant
Odys Aviation
- Located in Long Beach, California
- Manufacturer of hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft
Supernal
- Based in Washington D.C. (policy, legal, and commercial HQ)
- Has an engineering HQ facility in Irvine, California and an R&D facility in Fremont, California
- Manufacturer of the S-A2 (four passenger) eVTOL aircraft
- Subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company
- Based in Mountain View, California
- Wholly owned subsidiary of aerospace giant Boeing
- Bought AAM 3rd party service provider Skygrid in 2024.
- Manufacturer of eVTOL aircraft for air taxi service
- Based in Manassas, Virginia
- Focus on autonomous aircraft, UAS, experimental aircraft, and aerosystems
Electra
- Based in Manassas, Virginia
- Manufacturer of hybrid-electric ultra STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft
- 150 ft ground roll
- 1,110 nautical mile ferry range
- 9 passenger capacity
Doroni Aerospace
- Based in Pompano Beach, Florida
- Manufacturer of a two-seater eVTOL aircraft, the H1-X
Piasecki Aircraft Corporation
- Based in Essington, Pennsylvania
- Manufacturer of UAS aircraft (drones) for cargo transport, helicopters, hydrogen powered aircraft, and eVTOL experimental aircraft
- Unmanned Aircraft
- ARES Tilt-Duct VTOL (Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System)
- Acquired Kaman Air Vehicles’ KARGO UAV™ program (UAV cargo
- ScoutⓇ is a tandem ducted fan VTOL UAS for aiding military ground units with RSTA, and combat resupply
- Manned Aircraft
- plans to manufacture the PA-890, as the world’s first hydrogen powered helicopter
- Based in Palo Alto, California
- Tilt aircraft with fixed rotors and tandem wings
- Light eVTOL (Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing)
- Single seat PAV (Personal Aerial Vehicle)
- Based in Austin, Texas
- Manufacturer of FFA Ultralight single seater eVTOL aircraft
X-Wing
- Based in Concord, California
- Focused on Autonomous aircraft
- Autonomous flight division bought by Joby Aviation in 2024
Varon Aerospace
- Based in Miami, Florida
- Focus on eVTOL fleet operations, vertiport design & operations, and air traffic management
- Tourism, air-taxi, medical, and other applications
Jaunt Air Mobility
- HQ in Dallas, Texas
- design and manufacturing in Montreal, Canada
- Based in San Mateo, California
- Manufacturer of “flying car”
- Based in Watsonville, California
- Manufacturer of Hoverbike S3X, a FFA Ultralight two seater eVTOL aircraft
eVTOL linked companies with locations in the United States
Below is a list of companies that provide services, components, or other products related to eVTOLs, hybrid VTOLs, or drones.
- Based in Austin, Texas
- AAM Third-Party Service Provider (TSP)
- Airspace and operating system platform using AI, to link data, traffic, and infrastructure.
- Wholly owned subsidiary of aerospace giant Boeing
- Based in Costa Mesa, California
- Privately held
- Focused primarily on drones, and military applications
- Based in Denver, Colorado
- with other offices across America, including in Palo Alto, California
- Focused on Software and Big Data Analytics, Civilian and Military/Intelligence products
- Based in Arlington, Virginia
- Nasdaq: AVAV
- Focuses on UAVs and UAS
- Manufacturer of Raven, Switchblade, Wasp and Puma drones
MightyFly
- Based in San Leandro, California
- Offers UAS services of drone delivery of cargo, medical supplies, and logistics. Services range from warehouse to retail and remote delivery to rural areas
Sabrewing Aircraft Company (SACO)
- Based in Camarillo, California
- Dragonworks Lab located in Hayward, California with lab facility in Mountain View, California
- Manufacturer of unmanned heavy-lift commercial cargo air vehicles
- Based in Fremont, California
- Manufacturer of silicon anode batteries for eVTOLs and drones
- Civilian and Military applications
- Civilian
- Rescue drones and eVTOLs,
- Military
- drones, communication devices, wearables (battery packs)
- Civilian
Ultium Cells
- Located in Warren, Ohio
- Joint venture between General Motors and LG
- potential manufacturer of batteries for eVTOLs
Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina (TBMNC)
- Located in Greensboro, North Carolina
- Manufacturer of lithium batteries for Joby S4 eVTOL aircraft
Panasonic Energy
- Has lithium battery gigafactory in Sparks, Nevada and a future battery gigafactory in De Soto, Kansas that will open July 14th 2025.
- Batteries can eventually be developed for use in drones and eVTOLs
GracoRoberts
- based in Arlington, Texas
- largest distributor of aerospace specialty chemicals, owns Resin Formulators, a custom epoxy resin manufacturer for eVTOL aircraft
ResinFormulators
- based in Carson, California
- a custom formulation division of GracoRoberts
- Manufacturer of custom epoxy resin for eVTOL aircraft
More Info:
Executive Order “UNLEASHING AMERICAN DRONE DOMINANCE”: click here
XTI Aerospace official press release: click here
Archer’s press release: click here
AeroVironment Inc.’s official website: click here
LIFT Aircraft official website: click here
Hoversurf official website: click here
eVTOL buzz article Trump promises VTOL aircraft “revolution”: click here
FAA Reauthorization Act: click here
Joby blog statement about FAA Reauthorization Act: click here
X wing official website: click here
Odys official website: click here
Amprius offical website: click here
Skygrid official website: click here
Doroni Aerospace official website: click here
Supernal’s press release about Mike Whitaker’s appointment as FFA Administrator: click here
Archer Aviation’s congratulatory post on X about Mike Whitaker: click here
Joby Aviation’s congratulatory post on X about Mike Whitaker: click here
Rep. Sean Duffy Opening Statement Commerce Committee Nomination Hearing: click here
GracoRoberts official website: click here
GracoRoberts Resin Formulators for eVTOL aircraft: click here
MightyFly’s official website: click here
