The EASA requirements encompass operational procedures, flight crew licensing, rules of the air, and air traffic management, essential for ensuring the safe operation of VTOL aircraft.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has unveiled proposed rules for the safe operation of Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft (VTOL), which encompass air taxis. This significant development paves the way for the deployment of innovative VTOL aircraft in urban environments across Europe. The proposed rules presented in this Opinion include a wide range of operational requirements tailored to piloted electric air taxis. These requirements encompass aspects such as operational procedures, flight crew licensing, rules of the air, and air traffic management, all of which are essential for ensuring the safe operation of VTOL aircraft.
Additionally, the regulations set out clear criteria and processes for certifying and maintaining drones, an integral component of the VTOL ecosystem. Once adopted, these proposed regulations will serve as a complement to existing EU regulatory frameworks and guidance materials. These include regulations related to the operation of unmanned aircraft, specifications for vertiport design, unmanned traffic management (known in Europe as U-space), and the certification of VTOL-capable aircraft.
“I am happy to release this Opinion to the European Commission, which is once again the first proposal on this topic to be issued world-wide. With this, we will achieve a harmonised regulatory framework to ensure the safe, sustainable, and secure introduction of VTOL operations. This is the last piece of regulation required to enable the launch of VTOL and air taxi services for Innovative Air Mobility. Once this has passed into law, individual manufacturers and operators will of course need to obtain all the required approvals from various authorities, but the framework rules for these operations will be complete.” said Patrick Ky, Executive Director, EASA.
Read More Stories…SIA Engineering Company partners with Xiamen IPORT Group for MRO opportunities in China
The release of these proposed regulations follows a period of public consultation that took place from June to September 2022. EASA’s move to provide a comprehensive and standardized regulatory framework for VTOL operations is a significant step toward unlocking the full potential of air taxis and urban air mobility across Europe.
