Aiming to push next-generation commercial aviation into service, the U.S. Department of Transportation DOT and Federal Aviation Administration FAA are accelerating regulatory approvals for both electric air taxis eVTOLs and civil supersonic aircrafts.
Supersonic Flight Revival:
The 1973 overland ban had been lifted and the FAA has proposed new noise-based certification standards to replace the 50-year-old ban on civil supersonic flight over continental U.S. land.
Noise mitigation standards:
The decision was taken to mitigate noise standards.Rather than enforcing a strict speed cap, the new rules set an interim limit on surface sonic boom overpressure,le veraging modern aerodynamic designs and “Mach cutoff” techniques that refract sonic booms back into the atmosphere.
Electric Air Taxis ‘eVTOL’ Integration:
As reported by Reuters, the FAA created a pilot program last year to help nascent electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, known as eVTOLs, begin deployments.
FAA said it was also working to help industry, boost space launches and expand drone operations as it embraces for up-scaling.
Under the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) the DOT selected eight partner entities across 26 states to test electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for urban commuting, cargo, and medical transit.
Scaling Up the ‘Golden Age of Aviation’
The FAA finalized powered-lift flight and pilot certification rules, enabling aircraft to operate seamlessly in the National Airspace System alongside standard helicopters and airplanes.
As reported by Reuters, White House and aviation regulators state the push is designed to clear outdated regulatory hurdles, capture leadership in zero-emission urban air mobility, and initiate a new “Golden Age of Aviation”.
Deputy FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau in an interview at the Farnborough Airshow the agency is moving to address issues with certification and regulations.
“We want to make sure that we’re not being too prescriptive in those standards, and that we’re letting the industry drive the innovation,” Rocheleau said.
Rocheleau said data from the pilot program with eight partner companies in 26 states will help inform certification efforts.
“The whole idea behind this is to take this new technology, these new aircraft, and put them into the national airstream in a safe and efficient manner,” Rocheleau said.
Notably,the U.S. FAA expects to finalize takeoff, landing, and overland noise standards by mid-2027.
