FAA ISSUES NPRM ON CERTIFYING AND TRAINING AAM PILOTS
July 8, 2023
On June 14, 2023, the FAA issued a NPRM to outline the training and certification requirements for Advanced Air Mobility (“AAM”) pilots as part of the FAA’s goal to provide additional guidance to the AAM industry, and the broader powered-lift industry, since FAA expects powered-lift aircraft to be used to support the deployment of AAM operations.
The NPRM would establish requirements for pilot certification and the operation of powered-lift aircraft, which are described as aircraft that are capable of vertical takeoff and landing (“VTOL”), similar to helicopters, but able to fly like airplanes during cruise flight. New training and certification rules are needed because currently there are no type certificates for powered-lift in civil operations, though there have been several applicants seeking such certificates, and the FAA is looking to prepare for the safe integration of powered-lift into the U.S. national airspace system. The FAA is proposing a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (“SFAR”) for alternate eligibility requirements so that an initial group of powered-lift pilots can be safely certificated, with the goal of having the initial certificated pilots serve as flight instructors who are able to train additional instructors at flight schools, and to establish temporary operating rules applicable to powered-lift operations, while FAA continues to gather additional information to determine the most appropriate permanent requirements for powered-lift aircraft. FAA also noted that powered-lift will be type certificated as a special class aircraft under existing FAA regulations given the fact that currently there is no established method for civilian pilots to be certificated with a powered-lift category rating.
Interested parties are encouraged to submit comments on the NPRM in the relevant docket, available here, until August 14, 2023.
If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com 202-659-6622) or Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com 202-659-6665.
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