FAA to Undergo Audit of Air Taxi Certification Process

An audit aimed at examining the FAA’s certification process for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis is expected to begin by the end of this month, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General.

Thom Patterson

Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 11:25 AM ET

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The Department of Transportation Inspector General’s Office is about to examine the FAA’s certification process for electric air taxis. [Courtesy: EASA]

Key Takeaways:

The USDOT Inspector General will audit the FAA's certification process for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis, assessing the FAA's progress in establishing certification bases, ensuring safety of novel features, and providing guidance to applicants.
The audit, initially requested in August 2020 and delayed for 19 months, begins as the eVTOL industry experiences rapid development and significant investment.
A key challenge for the FAA and the audit is adapting existing federal aviation regulations, primarily designed for traditional aircraft, to the unique characteristics and complex safety challenges posed by eVTOL technology.

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The USDOT IG audit intends “to determine FAA’s progress in establishing the bases for certification of [urban air mobility] aircraft, including ensuring the safety of novel features and providing guidance to applicants,” the office said in a memo released Monday.