EASA proposes rules for safe VTOL operations

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published proposed rules for the safe operation of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.

EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky said: “I am happy to release this Opinion to the European Commission, which is once again the first proposal on this topic to be issued worldwide. With this, we will achieve a harmonized 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.”

The proposed rules establish criteria and processes for the certification and maintenance of drones.

Once adopted, this Opinion will complement already existing EU regulations and guidance material for the operation of uncrewed aircraft, specifications for vertiport design, uncrewed traffic management known in Europe as U-space, and the certification of VTOL-capable aircraft.