The Federal Aviation Administration has selected eight proposals, including two from Northern California startups, to participate in a nationwide pilot program that will determine if air taxis can be used as a short-range alternative in major metropolitan areas. The pilot program will test the emerging technology's capabilities, but industry experts are skeptical about its potential widespread use and costs for consumers. The Trump administration praised the pilot program, which does not come with federal funds attached, as an “unlock” for data, testing and collaboration that will be crucial for full FAA approval. While the term air taxis may bring comparisons to futuristic flying cars, the aircraft look more like drones with the ability to take off vertically.