Story ID: 384
EASA Proposes Noise Standards for eVTOLs
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: EASA is proposing using heavy helicopter noise limits for eVTOLs until it can gather more data on the new vehicles to refine these standards.
Word Count: 226
EASA has published what it claims are the world’s first proposed noise certification standards for eVTOLs. Known as the Environmental Protection Technical Specifications (EPTS), the proposed specification would be applicable to eVTOLs powered by multiple vertical, non-tilting, evenly distributed rotors.
According to EASA, they are intended to fill a regulatory gap and use the internationally harmonized noise certification standards for heavy helicopters as a starting point while it “collects more noise data from specific eVTOL designs through certification projects.” In addition, a hover noise level has been developed to aid in the assessment of flight operations in the vicinity of vertiports.
The proposed noise measuring procedures and analyses are adapted to the characteristics of eVTOLs where necessary. For example, as eVTOLs are expected to be quieter than today’s conventional VTOL aircraft in certain phases of flight, there is a need to allow them to fly closer to the microphone in those phases to maintain an accurate signal-to-noise reading.
Because eVTOLs do not emit nitric oxides, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, visible smoke, or non-volatile particulate matter during operation, no specifications for engine emissions are proposed within these EPTS. Similarly, EASA does not propose any CO2 emissions or efficiency specifications for these designs at this stage. Comments on the proposal are due by June 15.