The FAA has launched a consultation on training requirements for pilots of new powered-lift aircraft. The U.S. air safety agency published its proposed rules via the Federal Register on June 14 in a document called Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Certification and Operations and will allow 60 days for industry comment.
The initiative will address a significant aspect of the uncertainty surrounding how operations with new eVTOL aircraft will be regulated. Manufacturers expect to deliver thousands of all-electric vehicles for applications including air taxi services and cargo deliveries. With an approval path for fully autonomous flight yet to be determined, many industry observers question how the so-called advanced air mobility (AAM) operators will recruit large numbers of pilots at a time when the existing air transport sector is struggling with shortages.
In a June 7 statement, the FAA said the planned powered-lift rules are “designed to provide certainty to pilots and the industry on what the requirements and expectations will be to operate these aircraft once it is finalized.” The agency said the rules will spell out how pilots can earn ratings specific to each type of aircraft they fly.
Conservative Start, Then Accelerated Pilot Development
Ahead of publishing the proposals, the FAA said that powered-lift aircraft in the U.S. will follow the same set of operating rules as existing aircraft used for private and commercial flights, as well as air tours. The agency said that powered-lift pilots will be able to serve as flight instructors and then train other instructors at flight schools, training centers, and operators.
“To safely accelerate pilot certification, alternate eligibility criteria would enable certain pilots to meet flight-time experience requirements faster,” said the FAA. “This would apply to pilots who already hold a commercial pilot certificate and are instrument rated.”
The FAA stated that its proposals will conform to International Civil Aviation Organization requirements, allowing U.S.-licensed pilots to fly aircraft in other countries. Companies including CAE and FlightSafety International are already preparing equipment and training programs for the new sector of aviation.
Concept of Operations Blueprint
In early May, the FAA published an updated blueprint for the airspace and procedure changes it intends to deploy to accommodate future eVTOL air taxis and other AAM operations. Initially, the agency’s concept of operations, which was developed in consultation with industry stakeholders, is being predicated on the new aircraft flying in relatively small numbers in much the same way as existing rotorcraft flights.
“As the number of operations increases, air taxis are expected to fly in corridors between major airports and vertiports in city centers,” the FAA stated. “The complexity of the corridors could increase over time from single one-way paths to routes serving multiple flows of aircraft flying in both directions. Over time, these corridors could link an increasing number of routes between vertiports.”
Several eVTOL vehicle manufacturers intend to operate their own aircraft in commercial services, requiring them to secure a Part 135 air operator certificate. These companies include Joby, which already has Part 135 approval, Archer, Supernal, and Wisk Aero. Others, such as Lilium, Beta Technologies, and Vertical Aerospace, are mainly focusing their efforts on selling eVTOL aircraft to established operators, including major airlines and freight carriers.