Oklahoma City is set to play a pivotal role in the future of air taxis as the FAA begins construction on a facility to test vertical travel technology for safe integration into national airspace.
Facility Details
The Federal Aviation Administration broke ground on its Vertical Procedures and Analysis Range (V-PAR) in Oklahoma City, marking a significant step toward making air taxis a reality. The $8 million facility is expected to be completed by next June, when testing will begin.
According to Steven Bradbury, U.S. deputy secretary of transportation, the test range will help integrate air taxis into the air traffic control system to make it safe for use within the airspace. Bradbury emphasized the importance of safety in the development of this technology.
Once integrated, vertical travel technology could be used for various purposes, including transporting people to and from metro areas and delivering medical supplies. Many states, local governments, and Indian nations, including the Choctaw Nation and the Cherokee Nation, are involved in this initiative.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
