WASHINGTON The U.S. AviationRegulatory Commission on Wednesday proposed a comprehensive training and pilot certification regulations for flying taxis, vertical vertical takeoff and landing aircraft eVTOL, which have been touted as the future of urban air mobility.
Low-altitude urban aircraft have triggered intense worldwide interest, with numerous eVTOL companies going public. The federal Aviation Administration said it is important that new rules are needed because many proposed aircraft take off and land like a helicopter but fly like an airplane to their destination.
The FAA said its proposal meets the International Civil Aviation Organization's requirements, allowing U.S. pilots to operate in other countries.
Airlines and other companies are trying to develop transportation services by using battery-powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically to ferry passengers to airports or for short-distance trips, allowing them to beat traffic.
The FAA issued an updated blueprint for air space and other changes to accommodate future air taxis in May. Last year, the Air Force proposed changing its air carrier definition to include powered-lift operations in regulations covering other commercial operations such as airlines, charters and air tours.
Under the plan, air taxi operations will start at a low rate, similar to helicopters, and will utilize existing routes and infrastructure like helipads and vertiports, the FAA said.
The FAA has said it doesn't expect the first eVTOL to begin commercial operations until late 2024 or early 2025.
Last year, the FAA issued the airworthiness criteria for air taxi startup Joby Aviation to meet for its Model JAS 4 - 1 eVTOL aircraft and Archer Aviation to be certified for use.
Joby is a partnership between Delta Air Lines and Delta Air Lines that aims to offer passengers air taxi transport to and from airports in New York and Los Angeles within a few years.
The initial batch of pilots working for eVTOL manufacturers could serve as the initial cadre of flight instructors, who would then train instructors at flight schools and carriers. Some pilots may be able to meet flight-time experience requirements quickly, allowing them to perform better at their jobs.