DOT: Internal Strife ‘Hindered FAA’s Progress’ on AAM Regs

Audit claims mismanagement and miscommunication continue to inhibit FAA rulemaking on air taxi regulations.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 05:31 PM ET

Verified

AAM aircraft, such as Archer Aviation’s Midnight eVTOL, face delays in certification. [Courtesy: Archer Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. launch of air taxi (eVTOL) routes is significantly delayed due to an audit by the Department of Transportation, which uncovered years of internal FAA mismanagement, fragmented communication, and lethargic decision-making regarding advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft certification.
A core issue was the FAA's prolonged indecision on the proper certification pathway for eVTOLs, eventually settling on "special-class powered-lift," a category that still lacks comprehensive airworthiness standards, operating rules, and clear pilot certification requirements.
These regulatory challenges, coupled with poor external communication, have created uncertainty for AAM applicants and threaten planned commercial service timelines, prompting the DOT to issue four recommendations—with which the FAA concurred—to accelerate rulemaking and improve internal processes.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting the launch of the U.S.’s first air taxi routes, which have been set back by regulatory red tape. But according to a U.S. Department of Transportation audit of the FAA, they may need to wait even longer than expected.

The audit, published last week, details years of internal strife, mismanagement, and fragmented communication it claims have unnecessarily delayed the certification and regulation of advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft, such as air taxis. The DOT issued four recommendations to the FAA—with which it concurred—but said the agency “will likely continue to face challenges.”