The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has released its finalised package of Innovative Air Mobility regulations, comprising “a comprehensive set of requirements for piloted electric air taxis, spanning the domains of Air Operations (Air OPS), Flight Crew Licensing (FCL), Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA) and Air Traffic Management (ATM). It also establishes criteria and processes for the certification and maintenance of drones.”
In April 2024 the European Commission adopted a package of secondary legislation on drones and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capable aircraft, which puts the final rules in place for the launch of IAM services, including air taxi services.
According to EASA:
“The package is the last legislative element required for the launch of air taxi services, complementing other existing legislation. Air taxis will additionally require certification from EASA before such services can become operational in Europe.”
Some of the key provisions of the new regulations include:
“For the future integration of manned aircraft with a vertical take-off and landing capability into the transportation systems of the Member States, it is appropriate to apply the same regulatory framework available today for operations with aeroplanes and helicopters, with the necessary amendments considering the new air mobility concepts of operations with manned aircraft with a vertical take-off and landing capability, performance and operating limitations, and specific risks. Therefore, Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 , Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 , Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 , and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/37 should be amended accordingly.
“In particular, to ensure the availability of appropriately qualified pilots during the initial phase of operations with aircraft with a vertical take-off and landing capability, holders of commercial pilot licences for aeroplanes or helicopters should be given the possibility to add to their licence a type rating for manned aircraft with a vertical take-off and landing capability, including privileges to operate that aircraft under instrument flight rules, where necessary. Where such pilots also hold instructor or examiner certificates for aeroplanes or helicopters, they should also be given the possibility to obtain additional instructor or examiner privileges for that aircraft. Therefore, Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 should be amended accordingly.
“Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 should also be amended to provide for a safe, orderly and efficient air traffic management of manned aircraft with a vertical take-off and landing capability and avoid mid-air collisions.
“Moreover, Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 should be amended accordingly to provide, inter alia, for a new Annex with detailed requirements to address the operations of manned aircraft with vertical take-off and landing capability. Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 should be amended to include a new aircraft category, while precising existing definitions. Annex II and Annex III should be amended to enlarge the scope of existing certification requirements for commercial air transport and Annex V should include new provisions enabling emergency medical services and rescue operations with manned aircraft with vertical take-off and landing capability.”
The new regulations will apply from 1 May 2025.
For more information
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1716478399025&uri=CELEX%3A32024R1111
https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/home
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