While eVTOL manufacturers race to build electric air taxis, regulators and industry leaders are quietly solving a different puzzle: how to train the pilots who will actually fly them. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have both released clear guidance that passenger air taxis will be operated by certified, trained pilots, not autonomous systems. This requirement is reshaping how the industry prepares for commercial operations, with companies like Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, and Etihad Aviation Training building new training ecosystems from the ground up.

Why Can't Air Taxis Just Fly Themselves?

The autonomous dream is still years away. Regulators have made it explicit: the first generation of eVTOLs will require human pilots in the cockpit. In 2024, the FAA published a historic rule establishing pilot certification and operation requirements for eVTOL aircraft and other powered-lift vehicles designed for air taxi service. The rule sets out specific training requirements for pilots and instructors, including the use of flight simulators and clarifies operating rules for powered-lift operations.

FAA Administrator Mike Whittaker underscored the significance of this moment, stating that "Powered lift aircraft are the first new category of aircraft in nearly 80 years and this historic rule will pave the way for accommodating wide-scale Advanced Air Mobility operations in the future". This isn't just bureaucratic paperwork; it's the foundation for an entirely new aviation category.

What Makes eVTOL Pilot Training Different from Traditional Aviation?

eVTOL pilots face challenges that traditional commercial or helicopter pilots have never encountered. The aircraft are heavily automated, operate in dense urban environments, and require precision landings on vertiports perched atop high-rise buildings. The FAA has emphasized that training must go beyond manual flying skills to include systems management, energy monitoring, and automation oversight. Pilots need to understand how to manage software-assisted flight systems and recover from abnormal situations that may be impossible to practice in a real aircraft.

Both the FAA and EASA have aligned their approaches: early eVTOL pilots will be drawn from the ranks of already-certified commercial aircraft or helicopter pilots who then complete a specific type rating for the aircraft they'll operate. Neither regulator will issue eVTOL licenses to ab initio trainees, meaning you cannot become an eVTOL pilot without first earning a conventional pilot's license.

How Are Companies Building the Training Infrastructure?

Leading eVTOL manufacturers are partnering with established flight training organizations to create the necessary pilot development programs. Simulation is expected to be central to this effort, as it would be unsafe or impractical for pilots to recreate emergency procedures in actual aircraft.

• Joby Aviation and CAE Simulators: Joby Aviation, a leader in eVTOL commercial passenger services, announced in 2025 that it received two CAE 700MXR Flight Simulators tailored for the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market. Joby President of Operations Bonny Simi explained that "These simulators are central to the FAA certification process and are being delivered on time to support pilot training ahead of Joby's first commercial flights".
• Mixed-Reality Training Technology: CAE's simulators blend physical reality and the virtual world using hand tracking and tactile feedback from the aircraft's main instrument panel, allowing pilots to practice in dense urban environments and master the critical take-off and landing phases on vertiports.
• Archer and Etihad Partnership: In 2024, Etihad Aviation Training entered into a strategic partnership with Archer Aviation to recruit and train prospective pilots in Abu Dhabi for Midnight eVTOL flights across the United Arab Emirates. Archer plans to deliver a Midnight aircraft simulator to Etihad Aviation Training for research and development of eVTOL pilot training competencies.

CAE, the global leader in flight simulation, has partnered with five leading eVTOL manufacturers to develop pilot training, engineering, and certification support products. The company's investment in AAM-specific simulators reflects the industry's recognition that pilot training is not a secondary concern but a core requirement for safe operations.

What Are the Unique Challenges eVTOL Pilots Will Face?

Urban air mobility introduces operational complexities that traditional pilots rarely encounter. eVTOL pilots must navigate obstacle clearance in dense city environments, follow noise-sensitive routing requirements, and coordinate closely with air traffic management services. The take-off and landing phases on vertiports located atop high-rise buildings demand precision and situational awareness that simulators must help develop before pilots ever operate a real aircraft.

The extensive automation in eVTOLs also creates new training demands. Unlike traditional aircraft where pilots manually control most functions, eVTOL systems rely heavily on software and automation. This means pilots must develop competencies in systems management and automation oversight that go far beyond traditional stick-and-rudder flying skills.

How Are Regulators Aligning Standards Globally?

The FAA and EASA are working in parallel to create compatible regulatory frameworks. EASA is pursuing a Special Condition for VTOL framework that integrates into existing European aviation regulations while accounting for the unique characteristics of eVTOLs. EASA guidance addresses integration into controlled airspace, vertiport operations, and interaction with air traffic management systems. Like the FAA, EASA requires pilots to hold conventional licenses and complete aircraft-specific training and checking based on approved operational and training procedures developed alongside aircraft certification.

"We made tremendous progress towards beginning operations in the US later this year, with record FAA certification progress and our most expansive flight testing to date," said Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer Aviation.

Adam Goldstein, CEO at Archer Aviation

Archer, which expects to begin Midnight operations later in 2026 and will serve as the Official Air Taxi Provider of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, has demonstrated the importance of this regulatory alignment. The company reached a key milestone in April 2026 on its path to FAA Type Certification and is operating multiple piloted test flights on an almost daily basis.

Why Does Pilot Training Matter More Than You Might Think?

The success of the entire eVTOL industry depends on building a pipeline of qualified, trained pilots. Without robust training systems and qualified instructors, manufacturers cannot scale operations safely. This is why established flight training operators are partnering with eVTOL aircraft manufacturers to build the ecosystem needed for widespread adoption of Advanced Air Mobility. The partnerships between companies like Joby and CAE, and between Archer and Etihad Aviation Training, are not just business deals; they are the foundation for safe, scalable air taxi operations.

As the industry moves from development and testing toward commercial operations, pilot training will emerge as a defining competitive advantage. Manufacturers that partner early with reputable training organizations and invest in simulator development will be better positioned to launch operations on schedule and maintain safety standards. The dream of catching an air taxi from the airport to downtown Singapore may still be years away, but the infrastructure to train the pilots who will make it happen is being built right now.

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