Helikopter - EASA med rammebetingelser for bemannede maskiner som likner på UAM - Stor skepsis i USA - AIN

EASA Issues Special Condition To Govern VTOL Aircraft

by Charles Alcock

 - July 2, 2019, 10:04 AM

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) today published the Special Condition document that will govern development and certification framework for hybrid- and electric-powered vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. These new rules will apply to small VTOL aircraft with lift/thrust units to generate powered lift and control. The small category is for aircraft with nine or fewer passenger seats and maximum takeoff weight up to 3,175 kg (7,000 pounds).

The VTOL Special Condition also establishes a direct correlation between the airworthiness requirements for these aircraft and the type of operations for which they will be used. An enhanced category will apply to operations in which passengers are being flown on a for-hire basis over congested areas with a view to protecting third parties, including people on the ground. Lighter requirements will apply to non-commercial flights over uncongested areas under the basic category.

“We are actively engaging with the industry to develop the right technical requirements to take benefit of the new technologies bringing safety and environmental benefits to the community,” said EASA executive director Patrick Ky. “The establishment of a common set of conditions for the certification of these new concepts of vehicles will enable a fair competition on the European market, as well as clarity for future manufacturers and their investors.”

Announcing the new Special Condition, which was subject to public consultation initiated in October 2018, EASA said it will be “the first building block” to enable the safe operation of VTOL aircraft. The agency is now the wider rulemaking process will be guided by the Special Condition document to take full account of the new technologies and operational air transport concepts emerging in the fast-growing VTOL sector.

Safety Concerns Challenge Budding $17B U.S. eVTOL Market

by Mark Huber

 - June 11, 2019, 10:59 AM

The U.S. urban eVTOL market could exceed $17 billion by 2040, but the vast majority of potential passengers still consider the vehicles unsafe, according to consulting firm Deloitte Global. This will cause the cargo segment of the market to lead any advancement in the passenger market, it added.

“Considerable strides [have been] made in the advancement of elevated mobility, particularly in the last two years,” said Robin Lineberger, Deloitte Global’s aerospace and defense leader. “While the public may focus on the viability of eVTOLs in human transportation, the movement of cargo is just as important and will likely drive early adoption of these aircraft. However, eVTOLs pose a significant risk to traditional helicopter manufacturers; if they are to successfully traverse this disruption, they should consider reexamining product mixes, business models, or even shifting their focus to evolving markets for unmanned aerial transport,” said Lineberger. 

However, Deloitte pointed out that considerable regulatory, technology, and public acceptance obstacles remain before eVTOLs can be deployed in a meaningful way. The firm recently surveyed 10,000 potential autonomous eVTOL users and found that 80 percent believe these vehicles “will not be safe” or are uncertain about their safety. The firm noted that enabling technologies still need to mature. Specifically, it said that advancements in onboard collision avoidance systems, battery management, and ground infrastructure are still needed.

Financing the latter will be particularly challenging, as Deloitte noted, “Significant capital will be required to build vertiports and other infrastructure components. To secure adequate funding, extending current public/private partnerships or establishing new models will be necessary.”