The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a regulation midweek regarding the qualification and training of pilots who will be allowed to fly air taxis in the future. It calls it "the first entirely new category since the introduction of helicopters in the 1940s."

Motorized transport aircraft within the scope of so-called " Advanced Air Mobility " (AAM) include air taxis, such as the German "Volocopter," cargo transport, and a variety of operations in urban and rural areas. The authority created the regulation to subject instructors and pilots to a uniform set of rules so that they would be permitted to fly aircraft in this category of "motorized transport aircraft" within their area of responsibility, which have characteristics of both airplanes and helicopters. The regulation also addresses operational requirements, including the minimum safe flight altitude and the required visibility.

The US agency is considered a key authority in this regard. Aviation authorities in most countries around the world generally follow the recommendations of the US experts. The regulation is the final piece of the puzzle for the safe introduction of these aircraft in the near future.

The possible uses range from transporting passengers in urban areas and short-haul missions such as air ambulances and cargo operations to potentially serving smaller communities over time. The FAA is considered the global benchmark for measures affecting air traffic safety and is also responsible for aircraft accident investigations.
"The FAA will continue to make the safety of our system our highest priority as we work to seamlessly integrate innovative technologies and operations. This final rule provides the necessary framework to enable the safe operation of powered takeoff and landing aircraft in our airspace," said FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker.

Vibration tests at DLR

"Powered takeoff and landing aircraft are the first new aircraft category in nearly 80 years, and this historic regulation will pave the way for future large-scale implementation of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations." The German Aerospace Center (DLR) also recently conducted tests on the vibration behavior of such copters to ensure the greatest possible safety for flights over urban areas.

The FAA had decided that it could certify powered takeoff and landing aircraft using existing regulations and update other regulations to allow air taxis to be used commercially. Last year, the agency published a draft for the operation of powered takeoff and landing vehicles, which is now a key element in the further development of the overall AAM concept.

Existing rules adapted

A new pilot training and qualification rule was necessary because existing regulations did not address this new aircraft category, which can take off and land vertically like a helicopter and cruise like an airplane. The rule provides a comprehensive framework for the certification of the initial cadre of instructors and pilots.

The rule amends numerous existing regulations and establishes a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) with new requirements to facilitate the certification and training of instructors and pilots.

Photos: Volocopter / DLR

It also adapts helicopter operating requirements to some flight phases of the new type of aircraft and allows pilots to train with a single set of control instruments in the powered lift range; older rules still require two flight controls – one for the student and one for the instructor.

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www.faa.gov