The FAA and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Monday made major strides toward establishing a certification pathway for advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft, such as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis.
The FAA—which so far has published final airworthiness criteria for two air taxi designs, Archer Aviation’s Midnight and Joby Aviation’s flagship model—issued an advisory circular (AC) that would create the foundation for certification of powered lift vehicles, such as eVTOL aircraft. The AC, which lays out acceptable means for showing compliance with FAA Part 21 requirements for special class aircraft, is open for comment for 60 days.
