Aeronautics uFLY Program Leads Electric Aircraft Integration Pilot Program

Item #: 20260070

CONTACTS

Implementing Organization: Aeronautics
Implementation Lead: Matthew Maass
Development Team:
- Matthew Maass, Aeronautics Division Director
- Kiera Allen, Aircraft Registration Manager
- Karly Worthen, Aircraft Registration Specialist
- Bryan Kowalczyk, AAM Deputy Director
- Connor Heckert, AAM Specialist

Article Written By: Winston Inoway
Innovation Team Coordinator: Winston Inoway

STATUS

Implementation Date: March 01, 2026
Adoption Status: Fully Implemented
Adoptability Note: How might partnership help your program?

APPLIES TO

Topic: Compliance and Enforcement
Organization(s): Aeronautics
Job Role(s): Program Director, Program Manager
Tags: Air transportation, infrastructure preservation, employee empowerment, occupational safety, recruiting, economic benefits, expenses, expenditures, rural development, urban development, value of time, standardization, governance > auditing, policy making, procedures, compliance, law, ( legal ), drones ( UAS, UAV ), aeronautics, aviation safety, environmental quality > pollution > air, noise, quality of life, user benefits, ( connected communities )

PROBLEM

Aviation technology is advancing quickly and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is continually looking for ways to gather data about new aircraft and powertrain systems. Testing aircraft in multiple conditions and real-world environments helps the FAA establish rules and regulations as new systems are developed.

CHANGE

UDOT’s Aeronautics Division is the lead in a five-state initiative called uFLY, and was selected for an FAA initiative called eIPP: Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program. It is a three year program that brings together public-private partners, manufacturers and research institutions to test and safely integrate advanced aviation technologies and EVTOL aircraft into the National Airspace System (NAS). uFLY will assist in conducting a series of flights to prove efficiencies that will help the FAA establish rules and regulations, a first since helicopters were introduced decades ago.

RESULT

The first test flight occurred on August 6, 2026 with a hybrid electric aircraft flight from Salt Lake City to Cedar City. The demonstration was an important test as the hybrid powertrain requires no new infrastructure at airports. In the coming months, UDOT and its industry, academic and government partners will continue to publicly demonstrate AAM technologies through real-world operations across Utah, helping inform policymaking, infrastructure planning and the safe integration of next-generation aircraft into the state’s transportation system.

Next Steps: The uFLY proposal focused on a progression concept of crawl-walk-run. Initially testing capabilities with moving non-sensitive cargo, the plan will advance to medical use and remote work such as fire fighting and first responders. The goal is to prepare for reliable and safe human transportation.