Electric air-taxi creators want LA Olympics debut: but what will FAA say?

A bunch of California startups are hoping to save Los Angeles (LA) from the city’s infamous traffic jams during the Summer Olympics in 2028. But the Federal Aviation Administration might have something to say about it.

Silicon Valley-based Archer Aircraft announced proudly last week that it is the official Olympic shuttle on short flights throughout traffic-congested Southern California for the international sporting event scheduled to begin in LA in three years.

On the face of it, the Summer Olympics is probably the best stage to show off your newest toys, and there will definitely be customers looking for a way to beat traffic when the games – and 15 million expected visitors – come to town in July 2028.

“I think this is an opportunity to make people dream again and get excited about innovation,” said Archer Aviation CEO Adam Goldstein. “I think the Olympics is the biggest place to launch.”

Another company, Joby Aviation, which is considered a leader in the mini-plane maker space, also aims for its aircraft to take off during the Olympics.

The flying taxi concept reminds us of Hollywood science fiction – The Jetsons and their flying cars, but also Minority Report and its surveillance drones full of cops.

In real life, such electric air-taxis would be handy – these lightweight aircraft don’t need a runway and can launch vertically from rooftops. They can fly in a crowded urban landscape and carry cargo or emergency medical services if needed.

According to some innovators, their taxis will be able to reach a speed of 150 miles per hour. Most should be able to carry four passengers and a pilot. Most importantly, they’re all electric and friendly to the environment.

However, industry experts aren’t sure this form of Uber in the sky won’t be too expensive for regular passengers – even during the Olympic Games. Plus, the FAA will have to make sure that these airplanes are safe and approve them for commercial service – and this will take time.

According to Daily Breeze, none of the manufacturers with electric-powered aircraft have gone so far as to submit planned routes to fly during the Olympic Games.

Yes, these birds will probably follow paths already approved for helicopters, but they’ll also need specially built charging stations to load their batteries before travel.