Legislation, Regulation, and Policy Work to Advance AAM

New legislation, proposed regulation, and policy initiatives are working together to support the future Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market.

The FAA and Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) jointly signed an agreement to support future AAM aircraft development. The Declaration of Cooperation ensures the two aviation authorities will exchange ideas, information, skills, and techniques and collaborate on projects and issues of mutual interest concerning AAM. These issues include aircraft certification, production, airworthiness, operations, and airman qualifications.

The FAA has similar partnerships with the U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand Civil Aviation Authorities.

In November, President Joe Biden signed S. 516, the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act, to shore up U.S. leadership in the AAM market.

The Act requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish an AAM interagency working group to plan and coordinate efforts related to safety, infrastructure, physical security, cybersecurity, and federal investment to develop an AAM National Strategy.

Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) said the legislation will help ensure a safe and thriving future for the aviation industry in the U.S., adding, “The Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act will encourage greater coordination amongst the federal government and aviation stakeholders to ensure the safety of the flying public as new technologies are integrated into U.S. airspace.”

Also in November, the FAA published a Notice of Promised Rulemaking (NPRM), “Update to Air Carrier Definitions.” Most aircraft used in AAM is considered powered-lift aircraft, which are currently excluded from air carrier definitions.

This proposal would change definitions found in Part 110 to allow powered lift to operate in several air carrier models and commercial air tour operations. If implemented as drafted, the proposed rule would be the first step in ensuring the regulatory framework is prepared for safe commercial AAM operations.

This NPRM will be followed by a proposed Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) to allow the safe integration of powered lift in the National Airspace System with updates to pilot certification and operations rules. The proposed SFAR should be published in 2023.