FAA to Air Taxis: “Sure, What the Heck!”

Good morning! Aviation news has been taking off faster than a jet on afterburners this week — I couldn’t even fit it all in! And this isn’t the first time it’s happened, so the Flybuyer newsletter might just need to go biweekly. The skies are buzzing, and I’m here to make sure you don’t miss a beat! 🛩️

-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• Sky Commuting Gets FAA Approval

• Around the Skies: Jet demand soars, Tragedy strikes aviation icon, Wheels Up's fleet refresh, Astronauts splash back home, Kentucky’s ultimate airpark, Cessna's belly landing

• PilotTube: Flying Alaska’s Wild Skies

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

FAA Opens Skies to eVTOL Dreams

The FAA has officially opened the skies for powered-lift aircraft, giving air taxis like Joby’s eVTOL the all-clear to take flight. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker announced the Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) at NBAA-BACE, marking the first formal rule for pilot training and operations of these groundbreaking vehicles. Designed to remain in effect for a decade, the SFAR is a significant milestone that brings electric, hydrogen and hybrid-powered VTOL aircraft one step closer to commercial operations, revolutionizing the aviation scene with the first new civil aircraft category since helicopters in the 1940s.

After initially planning to certify powered-lifts as conventional aircraft, the FAA pivoted to create a whole new rule set in response to industry feedback. The SFAR blends helicopter and airplane standards, allowing VTOL aircraft more operational flexibility, especially for fuel and altitude requirements — an especially big win for electric aircraft with energy limitations. The new rule’s performance-based approach borrows some European standards, letting manufacturers prove safety without rigid requirements on how to achieve it.

In addition to flexibility, the SFAR now includes a single-control pathway for training, aligning with the designs of many powered-lift aircraft and streamlining instructor-student training. This update allows manufacturers to better align their designs and training models, accommodating a broader range of aircraft configurations. The FAA also outlined plans for vertiports equipped with necessary infrastructure, such as chargers, offering a glimpse into the future ecosystem of powered-lift operations.

While there’s more groundwork to cover, including infrastructure development, the SFAR gives the green light for powered-lift aircraft to begin operations safely and soon. This rule is a leap forward for air mobility, paving the way for a future where eVTOL taxis, cargo carriers and ambulances soar across cities and beyond — delivering faster, more versatile transport than ever before.

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AROUND THE SKIES

🛩️ Honeywell’s forecast sees smooth skies ahead for business aviation, projecting demand for 8,500 new aircraft worth $280 billion over the next five years. Manufacturers are ramping up production, with over 90 percent of users planning to fly as much or more in 2025. This optimistic outlook set a positive tone at the NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas last week, with steady growth anticipated across the industry.

🛩️ Chuck Coleman, the celebrated pilot who trained the cast of Top Gun: Maverick, took to the skies in New Mexico on October 20th, showcasing a breathtaking upside-down maneuver. But moments after leveling out, something went wrong — his Extra 300 plane spiraled into a deadly nosedive. Rescuers rushed to the scene, but tragically, it was too late. Coleman was a highly experienced aerobatic pilot, instructor and performer with more than 10,000 total hours logged.

🛩️ Wheels Up has secured $332 million to fuel a high-flying comeback, replacing its older jets with a fleet of 100 new aircraft. Now majority-owned by Delta, Wheels Up is upgrading its Beechjets and Citation Xs to roomier Phenom 300s and Challenger 300s, boosting both range and luxury. CEO George Mattson shared the ambitious plan at NBAA-BACE, with Delta backing the financing to keep Wheels Up soaring smoothly ahead.

🛩️ NASA’s Crew-8 astronauts made a splashy return Friday morning, landing off Florida’s coast after a record-breaking 235 days in orbit. Originally planned for six months, the mission stretched longer, earning Crew Dragon Endeavour the title for longest crewed spaceflight and completing over 200 experiments along the way. After nearly 100 million miles flown, the astronauts received routine check-ups and an extra evaluation.

🛩️ With a passion for aviation and an adventurous spirit, Savana Culver Barnes is transforming Kentucky’s Spring Creek Airpark into a buzzing hub for pilots. She and her partners secured the entire 3,300-foot runway, recently landing it back on FAA charts as 7KY4. Now, with plans for hangar homes and potential runway upgrades, Spring Creek is set to become the ultimate getaway for aviation enthusiasts.

🛩️ A Cessna made a smooth belly landing at Dallas Executive Airport recently when its landing gear called it quits. Thanks to a cool-headed pilot with steady hands, everyone walked away unscathed, but it took Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting 3 minutes and 15 seconds to arrive on scene — luckily it was an uneventful landing.

PilotTube

Willy J. Fulton is a fearless Alaskan float pilot, flying thrill-seekers over rugged mountains and choppy swells to fish, hunt and meet bears face-to-face. With only his wits to navigate the elements, every flight’s an epic adventure across Alaska’s wild skies.

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