Regulators Won’t Cut Corners When Certifying New eVTOL Aircraft

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Developers of new eVTOL aircraft like Joby, Lilium, Volocopter, Archer, and EHang are promising financial backers a rapid return on their investments, with commercial operations due to start from around 2024. But they may be underestimating the task of securing type certification and other approvals needed to get these electric aircraft into mass production and operation. After two fatal accidents with the Boeing 737 Max revealed shortcomings in the regulatory process, agencies like the FAA and EASA promise a more rigorous approach to certification. Industry expert Sergio Cecutta of SMG Consulting explains what’s at stake and how he expects this to play out.