Oct 22 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration

said on Tuesday it was finalizing comprehensive training and

pilot certification rules for flying air taxis, addressing a key

hurdle to the deployment of electric vertical takeoff and

landing aircraft.

The White House cleared the FAA's final rules on Friday that

were first proposed in June 2023. FAA Administrator Mike

Whitaker confirmed the final rule at a conference in Las Vegas

on Tuesday. "That is light speed for rulemaking," Whitaker said.

"This is a new type, a new category of aircraft. ..This rule

will create an operating environment so these companies can

figure out how to train pilots, they can figure out how to

operate."

Low-altitude urban aircraft known as eVTOLs have drawn

intense global interest, with numerous companies going public

like Joby Aviation ( JOBY ) and Archer Aviation ( ACHR ).

Whitaker said the rule is designed to be very flexible. The

regulation has "a performance-based approach, so you can look at

fuel reserves and other things with this new technology, account

for safety," he said.

Airlines and other companies are looking at developing

transport services using battery-powered aircraft that can take

off and land vertically to ferry travelers to airports or for

short city trips, allowing them to beat traffic.

Former acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen, who is

chief safety officer at Archer, said the announcement is a big

milestone for the deployment of flying air taxis. "Now we've got

a roadmap," he said.

The FAA said previously that air taxi operations will

begin at a low rate, similar to helicopters, and using existing

routes and infrastructure such as helipads and vertiports.

Under the FAA's 2023 proposal, pilots working for eVTOL

manufacturers could serve as the initial cadre of flight

instructors, who would then train instructors at flight schools

and carriers. Alternate eligibility criteria would enable some

pilots to meet flight-time experience requirements faster.

Delta Air Lines ( DAL )

invested $60 million

in Joby in a partnership aiming to offer passengers air

taxi transport to and from airports in New York and Los Angeles

within a few years. Earlier this month,

Toyota ( TM ) invested $500 million in Joby

.