The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially finalized regulations for \"powered lift\" vehicles, marking a significant milestone in the development of commercial air taxis.
These new rules cater to aircraft that blend the features of airplanes and helicopters, allowing vertical take-offs like helicopters and horizontal flights akin to airplanes. The FAA highlighted that existing regulations were insufficient for these innovative aircraft, which have the capability to transform urban transportation.
\"This rule is the final piece in the puzzle for safely introducing these aircraft in the near term,\" the FAA stated, emphasizing the vast potential of powered lift operations beyond just air taxis, including innovative cargo delivery methods.
The introduction of these regulations establishes the first new category of civilian aircraft since helicopters emerged in the 1940s. This development is a boon for startups in the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) sector, which are actively working on deploying air taxis to help passengers bypass congested city traffic.
Companies like Supernal, a subsidiary of South Korean automotive giant Hyundai, are eyeing a 2028 launch of their air taxi services in bustling cities like Los Angeles. Meanwhile, European startup Volocopter aimed to showcase its air taxi capabilities at the Paris Olympics this summer but missed the certification deadline. They are now targeting the end of the year to achieve the necessary approvals.
With these new FAA regulations, the dream of flying taxis becoming a part of everyday urban life is one step closer to reality, promising a future of faster, more efficient, and eco-friendly transportation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
