EU Approves General Policy Regulations for Manned eVTOL Aircraft
On May 23, the European Commission approved the comprehensive policy regulations for eVTOL (EU 2024/1111), to be implemented by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). These regulations will take effect from May 1, 2025. This regulation exclusively targets manned eVTOL aircraft, providing interpretations, supplements, and amendments to all existing regulations concerning airworthiness, operations, and pilot licensing for such eVTOLs. It is considered the most comprehensive, fundamental, and significant regulation for eVTOLs in the EU to date, akin to a foundational law for eVTOLs in the EU. The main points of this regulation include:
Key Highlights
- Definition and Classification: The regulation provides a clear definition of eVTOL in aviation regulations. From now on, eVTOLs in EU and EASA documents will have the official designation “VCA” (Vertical Take-off and Landing Capable Aircraft), instead of eVTOL. eVTOLs are classified under the rotorcraft category, which includes helicopters and VCAs.
- Helicopter Definition: A helicopter is defined as “a type of rotorcraft supported in flight chiefly by the reactions of the air on up to two power-driven rotors on substantially vertical axes.”
- VCA Definition: A VCA is defined as “a power-driven, heavier-than-air aircraft, other than aeroplane or rotorcraft, capable of performing vertical take-off and landing by means of lift and thrust units used to provide lift during take-off and landing.”
This regulation establishes the term VCA for eVTOL-type aircraft. In official EASA documents, the term eVTOL has never been used; it was previously referred to as SC-VTOL (Special Condition Vertical Take-Off and Landing Aircraft) without a clear definition.
Global Perspective on Terminology
It’s noteworthy that aviation authorities worldwide have not used the term eVTOL in official documents. The FAA classified eVTOLs under “special class” (21.17 (b)) as “powered lift,” a category that includes traditional tiltrotor aircraft like the V22 “Osprey” and Agusta AW609. As such, eVTOL does not have a specific name under the FAA regulations, and the term VCA in the EU rules stands alongside powered lift aircraft, indicating distinct handling by EASA.
Historical Context of eVTOL
The term eVTOL was first coined by Mark Moore in a 2009 paper while working as an engineer at NASA. Moore’s concept of a tail-sitter single-seat eVTOL became influential when he joined Uber in 2016, convincing its founder to initiate the Elevate urban air mobility project. This led to the widespread use of the term eVTOL, promoted by Uber, Morgan Stanley, and various eVTOL companies.
EASA’s VCA Rules
EASA’s VCA regulation not only defines the aircraft but also outlines the operational scenarios under “Innovative Air Mobility” (IAM), defined as “any operation with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)-capable aircraft in congested and non-congested areas.” Henceforth, EASA documents will use IAM instead of terms like Urban Air Mobility (UAM) or Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).
Pilot and Operational Requirements
This regulation specifically applies to manned VCAs and does not address unmanned autonomous VCA operations. Pilots with commercial licenses for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters are allowed to operate VCAs, provided they undergo specified conversion training. Details on these requirements are in the referenced and amended existing regulations.
The full text of the regulations can be downloaded from the EASA website: EU 2024/1111.
