There are more solutions than obstacles. Nicolas Zart
If the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) has its hands full with air traffic control (ATC) in the US, Europe is now tackling the thorny issue of noise compliance for advanced air mobility (AAM) in urban environments (UAM).
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has launched a new proposal aimed at establishing comprehensive noise certification standards for vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The Notice of Proposed Amendment 2025-03 was published on August 22, 2025, and invites public comments through November 21, 2025. This regulatory action addresses a significant gap in current noise certification, which has not yet accounted for the unique characteristics of VTOL-capable aircraft.
Existing International Civil Aviation Organization standards mainly cover helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft and do not adequately apply to the novel designs and operational profiles of electric and hybrid VTOL aircraft. EASA’s draft includes noise measurement, reporting, and certification procedures that reflect those helicopter standards, but introduces specific requirements for VTOL operations such as takeoff, overflight, and approach. Notably, while noise from hover operations will be measured and reported, it is not expected to have an initial limit applied.
Hush, There’s Something In The Air!
The new noise certification framework is designed to encourage manufacturers to develop quieter VTOL aircraft. The goal is to ease community concerns around noise pollution, which is critical for the broad public acceptance and successful urban deployment of air taxis and other advanced air mobility systems. Furthermore, establishing clear noise standards facilitates a level regulatory playing field, simplifies cross-border certification, and aids local planning authorities in making informed land use and operational decisions.
Certification documentation will be handled through newly created forms specific to VTOL aircraft, issued by the aircraft’s state of registry. These certifications will be entered into a publicly accessible EASA database to support transparency and regulatory oversight. The proposal reflects input from manufacturers, national regulators, and other stakeholders gathered since 2023 and is consistent with similar efforts underway by major global aviation authorities, including the U.S. FAA, Brazil’s ANAC, and Japan’s JCAB.
Final adoption of these noise standards is anticipated no earlier than 2027, following review and issuance of formal opinions by EASA. This initiative marks a necessary step toward integrating VTOL aircraft into urban airspace in an environmentally responsible and socially acceptable manner, furthering the development of sustainable advanced air mobility.