Advanced Air Mobility challenge

In response to these opportunities, together with the Department for Transport, we have launched an AAM Challenge with the aim of:

• Making sure the right public and consumer safety protections are in place
• Developing a clear understanding of what regulations, policies and other support is needed to enable initial commercial passenger carrying electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) operations in 2026 and beyond and putting in place a strategy to make sure this happens as soon as possible
• Providing clarity to stakeholders on what is achievable by the proposed target date of 2026 and beyond from a regulatory perspective and giving stakeholders the confidence that we will deliver what we say

External Dependencies impacting the introduction of Advanced Air Mobility include:

• Progress by equipment manufacturers in resolving certification challenges, including demonstration of required safety criteria, and maintaining sufficient investment
• Industry, local and central government investment into infrastructure to support these new operations, including battery charging infrastructure
• Local authority engagement, acceptance and planning processes to deal with these new proposals
• Demand from consumers for these new operations and wider public acceptance. These will determine the growth / scaling of the industry
• Progress and alignment of international standards and certification approaches
• Factor in the impact of an expanding / developing sector on our ability to attract and retain relevant expertise to complete our work.

We believe there will be an incremental approach to the introduction of eVTOL aircraft. Matching demand from manufacturers means we will initially focus on operations by piloted aircraft using the current airspace infrastructure and mainly from current aerodromes.

This will enable the entire aviation system to gain experience of the new sector, resulting in a greater understanding of how eVTOL flying can be safely and successfully integrated. It will also inform and direct our concurrent work on integrating larger volumes of AAM flying in the future.

The technology is new and still developing so we are engaging with industry, government, academia, and other regulators to investigate the risks and possible mitigations that result.

We will use the existing UK rules and regulations where possible and we will work with other international regulators and states (and where applicable international standards development organisations), to develop new rules where necessary.

We will adopt what is appropriate for the UK but in doing so be fully aware that harmonisation enhances safety and increases efficiency for industry and regulators. In line with this approach, we are reviewing existing UK rules and conducting gap analyses to those of EASA, FAA, ICAO, and others.

In all our work we will keep an open mind, evolve and be willing to adapt.

We will seek to embed the highly successful safety management and just cultures of traditional commercial aviation into the new AAM sector.

We will fully consult on new rules and engage stakeholders as we develop our policies and be open and clear about our actions and plans.

We are working with colleagues across industry and government to deliver the regulatory frameworks and certification that will enable the next generation of aircraft to be developed and operated in UK airspace, while continuing to protect the public and other aviation users from harm. This update provides industry and other stakeholders with a snapshot of the CAA’s Future of Flight progress.

To develop appropriate policy, guidance and/or regulations so stakeholders are clear on UK requirements for eVTOL and similar operations workstreams will be: 

• Initial airworthiness certification requirements for VTOL aircraft - we have published information on our certification plans 
• Pilot and engineering training, competency, and licensing
• Ground infrastructure design and operational requirements for aerodromes and vertiports - we have published information for aerodromes and vertiports
• Safety and operational responsibilities and the requirements for obtaining and maintaining an Air Operators Certificate and operating licence
• Aviation security and cyber security
• Ongoing airworthiness and maintenance requirements for eVTOL aircraft
• Integration into current and future traffic management services in line with our Airspace Modernisation Strategy
• Consumer principles - we have published a guide to applying our consumer principles to AAM

We have published two documents related to the noise impact of eVTOL aircraft. The effects of eVTOL aircraft noise on humans and noise measurements from eVTOL aircraft: a review of available data.