Live call
Are electric air taxis viable after Lilium and Volocopter failed?
I don't know since 2026-10-25 · ledger #34
The regulatory blocker crossed and leaders still failed, so the rule abstains.
Short answer
The FAA finished its rules for powered-lift aircraft and pilots in late 2024, the regulatory piece air taxis had waited for. Within months Lilium entered insolvency and Volocopter filed for insolvency in December 2024. When the named blocker crosses and leading companies still fail, it was not the binding constraint; battery energy and certification cost are likelier, and the board abstains.
- Killing constraint
- Powered-lift rules (named, but not binding)
E5 Legal permission / regulation + E1 Cost curve - Who is in now
- Joby Aviation
founded 2009
The FAA powered-lift framework crossed in 2024; certification cost and battery energy density did not visibly move.
Graveyard
Companies that died proving people wanted this. Capital shown where it was disclosed.
Who is in the category now
- Joby Aviation (founded 2009) — in FAA type certification source
What changed, dated
- FAA final rule amendments: Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Certification and Operations. source H
Regulatory activity
Federal Register documents matched to this category, refreshed weekly. The dates are what an E5 (legal permission) crossing hangs on.
- Sport Pilot Practical Test Standards Alignment
Rule · Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration · published 2026-09-14 · effective 2026-09-14 - Accepted Consensus Standards for Light-Sport Category Aircraft: Airplane, Glider, Powered Lift, and Gyroplane
Rule · Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration · published 2026-07-16 · effective 2026-07-16 - Flight Restrictions in the Vicinity of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Rule · Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration · published 2026-01-23 · effective 2026-01-23, comments close 2026-02-23 - Requirements for Interference-Tolerant Radio Altimeter Systems
Proposed Rule · Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration · published 2026-01-07 · comments close 2026-03-09 - Sport Pilot Practical Test Standards Alignment
Proposed Rule · Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration · published 2025-12-08 · comments close 2026-01-07 - Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations
Proposed Rule · Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration, Homeland Security Department, Transportation Security Administration · published 2025-08-07 · comments close 2025-10-06 - Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification
Rule · Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration · published 2025-07-24 · effective 2025-10-22
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