GAMA and Other Industry Groups Cast Shade on FAA Powered Lift Pilot Proposal

A collection of industry stakeholders rallied against the FAA’s proposed rules for powered-lift pilot certification.

Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 06:17 PM ET

Verified

The AAM industry criticized the FAA’s proposal for qualifying pilots of eVTOL aircraft, like Wisk Aero’s Gen 6. [Courtesy: Wisk Aero]

Key Takeaways:

The general aviation industry is strongly opposing the FAA's proposed Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for powered lift (eVTOL) pilot training and certification, arguing it's impractical and will hinder Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) integration.
Industry groups criticize the SFAR for requiring experienced pilots to complete a time-based powered lift certificate before a type rating, and for mandating dual-control training aircraft when simulator-based training is more efficient.
Stakeholders also advocate for reducing red tape around flight simulator qualification and implementing performance-based operational rules that appropriately consider both airplane and helicopter characteristics of powered lift aircraft.
The industry contends that the current FAA proposal will impede AAM entry into service, restrict operations, and place undue burdens on pilots, instructors, and manufacturers, pushing for a more flexible, training-oriented, and aircraft-specific regulatory framework.

See a mistake? Contact us.

The FAA is no stranger to the occasional wave of pushback. But this week the agency was hit with a tsunami of opposition.

In a level of coordination and political mobilization not that uncommon in the industry, what seems like the entirety of general aviation has rallied against the FAA’s proposed rules for training and certification of powered lift pilots. And it did it the old-fashioned way: by penning the agency a strongly worded letter.