FAA Set to Release Final Regulation for eVTOL Aircraft Operations

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is close to issuing the final Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for powered-lift aircraft, an essential step for the commercialization of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the U.S. This announcement was made by Christopher Coes, acting under secretary of transportation for policy, at Honeywell’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Summit held on September 19.

The forthcoming SFAR, expected next month, addresses pilot certification and operational protocols for eVTOLs and comes in response to industry feedback on the draft version debated at last year’s summit. The draft faced scrutiny over aspects such as pilot certification processes, dual flight control requirements, electric aircraft’s energy reserves, and the use of flight simulation training devices.

This year’s summit showcased a shift towards optimism about the regulation’s potential impact on the eVTOL industry. Kristie Greco Johnson from the National Business Aviation Association noted the significant progress, emphasizing that a timely release would mark a major achievement for the FAA.

The final SFAR is part of a broader FAA mandate under the recent reauthorization bill, which also includes directives for unmanned aerial systems operating beyond visual line of sight. Although the FAA missed a related deadline, the focus remains on meeting the SFAR deadline of December 16.

The regulation is critical as the U.S. aims to compete globally in the AAM sector, with companies like Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation targeting 2025 for commercial operations. Similar initiatives are underway in Europe, the UK, and Saudi Arabia, each gearing up for significant eVTOL operations around the mid-2020s. Meanwhile, Canada is observing developments, with Transport Canada planning to validate certifications primarily issued by the FAA or EASA.

Related news: https://airguide.info/?s=eVTOL

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, verticalmag.com