The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has made progress towards implementing a framework for certification and operation of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) and civil tiltrotor aircraft. Last May, the agency confirmed that it was requiring all eVTOL aircraft to use the Section 21.17(b) process for airworthiness certification (see "Commentary: FAA Changes Course on eVTOL Certification," Vertiflite, July/Aug 2022). On Feb. 7, Acting Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety David H. Boulter testified before the US House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on a hearing on aviation safety. He highlighted that the agency is working on the Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for the integration of powered-lift aircraft into the national airspace system. This rule would enable a path forward for qualifying pilots as well as determining which operating rules apply to powered-lift aircraft. The SFAR is expected this summer and will be a key enabling document to allow advanced air mobility (AAM) operations.
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