There are more solutions than obstacles, Nicolas Zart
The FAA released a new Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) aimed at advancing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, providing a framework for commercial operations that have been well-received by the industry. This 880-page regulation is a major step in creating the infrastructure, training, and operational backbone needed to support Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). It will be in place for 10 years to allow real-world data collection and regulatory refinement.
According to FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker, “Powered-lift aircraft are the first new category of aircraft in nearly 80 years, and this historic rule will pave the way for wide-scale AAM operations in the future.” Whitaker, speaking last week at the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) event, praised the speed of the rule’s development, completed in under 18 months, as “lightning speed.”
The SFAR’s key purpose is to establish pathways for pilot training, certification, and operational rules tailored specifically to the unique needs of powered-lift, winged-eVTOL aircraft. The FAA intends to use real-time data gathered during these 10 years to adapt regulations based on practical use. This rule, effective 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register, offers flexibility, and industry insiders believe it will significantly impact the advancement of AAM operations.
Key Highlights of the SFAR:
The SFAR is expansive, detailing how instructor and pilot certification will work while implementing a performance-based approach to operating rules. It also includes adaptations such as:
- Helicopter operating requirements applied to certain phases of eVTOL flight.
- Allowing pilot training in powered-lift aircraft with a single set of flight controls, whereas legacy regulations required separate controls for instructors and students.
The FAA had previously released a 160-page draft in June, which drew 75 comments from industry stakeholders. Some, like Bristow Group, expressed concerns that the proposed rules might restrict AAM development in areas like fuel reserves. The FAA’s response has incorporated feedback, providing adjusted energy reserve rules: a 20-minute reserve (similar to helicopters) in place of the initially proposed 30–45 minutes, conditional on the aircraft’s vertical landing capability along the entire route.
Industry Feedback on the New SFAR
The SFAR represents a pivotal step forward for AAM companies, providing a structured path for pilot certification. Many in the eVTOL industry welcomed this, with Beta Technologies’ Kristen Costello calling the new rule “an important and encouraging step.” However, others noted potential challenges, particularly in pilot training requirements. For instance, the General Aircraft Manufacturers Association (GAMA) highlighted that the SFAR places an unprecedented burden on manufacturers by requiring them to supply FAA pilots with a minimum of 50 powered-lift flight hours.
EASA’s Parallel Progress
While the FAA’s SFAR marks a significant milestone in the U.S., the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has also advanced in developing VTOL standards. EASA recently published its “Easy Access Rules for small category VTOL-capable aircraft,” detailing airworthiness standards that align with European regulatory frameworks. EASA’s rules outline operating standards for urban air mobility, vertiport operations, and emergency protocols to support seamless integration into congested areas.
The convergence of FAA and EASA standards suggests an international push towards certifying eVTOL operations and, while neither agency has fully resolved all certification challenges, both are progressing steadily.
What’s Next for eVTOL Regulation?
The FAA’s SFAR stands as a robust starting point for developing a new class of aviation, with adaptable rules that support the initial stages of eVTOL deployment while providing the flexibility to adapt to technological advancements. Pilots will undergo rigorous certification under the SFAR’s alternative frameworks, including full-flight simulators and single-control training options.
With the SFAR in place, the FAA has created a structured yet adaptable framework that will allow AAM operations to flourish safely, and without regulatory ambiguity, in the U.S. As both FAA and EASA continue refining their regulations, it’s clear that the future of urban air mobility is coming into focus, and the skies are set to welcome eVTOLs soon. Does it mean we are there yet? Not yet, not just yet. The next two years will tell us whether eVTOL or eSTOLs will be certified first and operational. In the meantime, we will need to see if investors will show up and help startups go from the fairly achievable prototype certification to that of mass-fracturing and operations.
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