1. A New Vision for the Skies
Virginia is taking bold steps to position itself as a national leader in electric aviation. Through a partnership led by Future Flight Global (FFG) and Universal Solutions International (USI), the state is moving toward large-scale integration of drones, electric air taxis, and other advanced air mobility (AAM) technologies.
The initiative, supported by the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV), local universities, and state organizations, aims to create a living laboratory for electric and hybrid-electric aircraft. From vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) air taxis to autonomous cargo drones, the state is laying the groundwork for a cleaner and smarter aviation ecosystem.
The collaboration will begin with real-world demonstrations using mission-ready aircraft. Toni Drummond, president and cofounder of Future Flight Global, said that the team plans to start with beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone trials before scaling up to more advanced operations.
2. Real-World Demonstrations and Testing
According to Drummond, the project’s demonstrations will focus on several key areas:
- Medical and cargo delivery
- Public safety and emergency response
- Precision agriculture
- Long-range infrastructure inspections with partners such as Dominion Energy and Virginia Natural Gas
- Regional cargo logistics
FFG is assembling a fleet of eVTOL air taxis from Archer Aviation and Eve Air Mobility, a subsidiary of Embraer. Together with USI, which specializes in testing and deploying uncrewed systems for civil and defense applications, the companies aim to collect valuable operational data.
This data will help shape roadmaps for AAM corridors, fleet integration, and regulatory frameworks that can guide future air mobility operations across the United States. The coalition will also evaluate infrastructure, mission profiles, and workforce development pipelines needed to scale electric aviation throughout Virginia.
“Ultimately, we want this partnership to deliver operational evidence that regulators and communities can trust,” Drummond said. “Our goal is to set the stage for safe and sustainable commercial adoption.”
3. Virginia Bets on Electric Aviation
Future Flight Global already has a strong stake in the electric aviation space. In 2024, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Archer Aviation for up to 116 Midnight air taxis, a deal valued at $580 million. It also signed a letter of intent with Eve Air Mobility for up to 54 aircraft, which FFG plans to operate in both the United States and Brazil.
These aircraft, owned or operated by FFG or its partners, will feature in upcoming Virginia demonstrations.
The state’s public and private sectors are equally committed. FFG and USI have already completed the first phase of their collaboration, which included strategic discussions with the Virginia Department of Aviation, the Hampton Roads Alliance, the Peninsula Airport Commission, and several universities.
The partnership has drawn interest from NASA’s Langley Research Center, the U.S. Army at Fort Eustis, and potentially the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, all of which could contribute expertise to developing advanced air mobility corridors and counter-drone systems for safe testing.
4. Regulatory and Federal Support
Federal agencies are also involved. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is directly tied to airspace approvals, safety documentation, and corridor development strategies for the project.
Drummond explained that the FAA’s participation ensures that the lessons learned in Virginia can be applied nationwide. “Regulators can and will use this work to inform AAM and BVLOS integration in other states,” she said.
Funding for the initiative comes from a mix of state economic development programs, regional stakeholders, and grant-supported activities, with USI coordinating additional support.
Backing also comes from GO Virginia, a coalition of business leaders working to attract private-sector jobs to the state. Specifically, GO Virginia’s Region 5, which includes Norfolk, Williamsburg, Chesapeake, and Newport News, is playing a key role. Drummond envisions Newport News becoming one of the state’s first AAM hubs.
5. How Virginia Fits into the National Air Mobility Landscape
Virginia’s efforts are part of a larger national trend. More than 30 state aviation agencies have joined a multistate AAM collaborative under the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO). The group has published guidelines to help states integrate new aviation technologies safely and efficiently.
Several states are already making progress. Utah has developed a full AAM integration blueprint, while Michigan has invested more than $10 million in AAM projects, including the Advanced Aerial Innovation Region (AAIR) testbed, which has hosted over 800 drone flights.
Regional initiatives are also taking shape. Planned AAM corridors are being developed between North Carolina and Georgia, as well as between New Jersey and Delaware.
At the federal level, the White House directed the FAA and Department of Transportation to launch the Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) in June 2024. This three-year effort will gather data from at least five public-private partnerships.
Drummond said that Future Flight Global views the eIPP as a natural extension of its work in Virginia and is already in discussions with other states to expand the model.
6. Looking Ahead: Virginia’s Path to Becoming an AAM Hub
Drummond emphasized that the project is about more than aircraft testing. It is about building the ecosystem needed for electric and hybrid aviation to thrive. That includes developing skilled workers, improving infrastructure, and creating regulatory frameworks that ensure safety and public trust.
“While I can’t announce specifics yet, our strategy is to complement our OEM partners and bring real operational test cases into focus,” Drummond said. “We are working on concepts of operations and researching corridor readiness to support our aircraft once they are certified.”With partnerships spanning industry, academia, and government, Virginia is positioning itself to become a model for how advanced air mobility can transform regional transportation.
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