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I’m sure you’re all familiar with the workings of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and what it will need to do before electric air taxis become legal. Oh, yeah, of course — none of us are. However, news is that it has brought us a significant step forward with a recent publication. The FAA has published a final rule (regulations) on electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, or air taxis.
“This final rule adopts permanent amendments and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for a period of ten years to: facilitate the certification of powered-lift pilots, clarify operating rules applicable to operations involving a powered-lift, and finalize other amendments which are necessary to integrate powered-lift into the National Airspace System (NAS). In this final action, the FAA finalizes its alternate framework to stand-up initial groups of powered-lift pilots and flight instructors. Most notably, the FAA adopts alternate frameworks to facilitate the certification of pilots seeking qualifications in a powered-lift with single functioning flight controls and a single pilot station. In response to commenters, the FAA provides clarification for certain operating rules and adopts a performance-based approach to certain operating rules to enable powered-lift operations. In addition to finalizing provisions for powered-lift, this action also makes changes to practical tests in aircraft that require type ratings, including airplanes and helicopters, training center rotorcraft instructor eligibility, training and testing requirements, and training center use of rotorcraft in flight training.”
Was that in English? Anyway, that’s the summary of the final rule on the FAA’s page for it. If you want to get into the nitty gritty, here’s the PDF of the 880-page document. Have fun!
One interesting note The Verge caught was that “these ‘powered-lift’ vehicles will be the first completely new category of aircraft since helicopters were introduced in 1940.” Whoa.
“Powered lift aircraft are the first new category of aircraft in nearly 80 years,” said FAA administrator Mike Whitaker. “This historic rule will pave the way for accommodating wide-scale Advanced Air Mobility operations in the future.”
We’ve covered a long list of eVTOL aircraft companies. They have surely been eagerly awaiting the new FAA rule, and are now one significant step closer to launching trial electric air taxi service. “Powered lift aircraft are the first new category of aircraft in nearly 80 years,” FAA administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement. “This historic rule will pave the way for accommodating wide-scale Advanced Air Mobility operations in the future.”
Reportedly, for years, these electric aircraft were going to have to go through approval as normal aircraft, but then it was decided in 2022 that they would need their own whole new rule, and the past couple of years have been needed to finalize it.
“The regulation published today will ensure the U.S. continues to play a global leadership role in the development and adoption of clean flight,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, in a statement. “Delivering the rules ahead of schedule is testament to the dedication, coordination and hard work of the rulemaking team.”
Archer Aviation offers the following extended comment:
We are very pleased with the outcome of the FAA’s final powered-lift SFAR. This comes ahead of schedule and further solidifies our path to market by providing clear direction on what is required for the safe operation of eVTOL aircraft in the U.S. Here are our initial key takeaways on three areas of the SFAR that our industry has been focused on:
Dual Controls
The final SFAR (i.e., versus the initial draft) has significantly expanded our ability to use flight simulator technology as part of our pilot training and qualification programs. This includes allowing pilot trainees to earn credit for certain simulator time, as well as greatly expanding our ability to use simulator technology as part of a streamlined pathway for our pilot certification. The SFAR also incorporates several very workable options for training pilots in our aircraft using a single set of controls.
Fuel Reserves
The final SFAR allows aircraft to take advantage of certain helicopter operating rules as long as the operator complies with the appropriate risk mitigations that are detailed in the rule. For example, an operator may use the helicopter fuel requirements under § 91.151 if the powered-lift aircraft is continuously capable of conducting a landing in the vertical-lift flight mode along the entire route of flight. This gives us a strong basis to work closely with the FAA on our detailed operational plan for our planned networks to ensure compliance with these requirements.
Cross Country Requirement
The final SFAR cross country experience requirement provides workable provisions and alternative paths that fit within the capabilities of most eVTOL aircraft, including Midnight, to create a safe and attainable pilot training framework for the industry to adhere to.
See our archives on Archer, Joby, and eVTOL for more on these companies and topics.
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