The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has released a set of proposed rules for safely operating Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft (VTOL) such as air taxis in Europe.
The published Opinion details operational requirements for piloted electric air taxis, including flight crew licensing, rules of the air and air traffic management.
In addition to paving the way for air taxi services, the proposed rules also establish regulations for the certification and maintenance of drones.
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 harmonised regulatory framework to ensure the safe, sustainable, and secure introduction of VTOL operations.
Once adopted, this Opinion will complement existing EU regulations and guidance for operating unmanned aircraft, designing vertiports, managing unmanned traffic and certifying VTOL-capable aircraft.
The first passenger eVTOL services are now expected to launch in Paris in 2024 in time for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Ky added: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.
