Senior Editor

Jerry Siebenmark

The regulatory framework that exists in Europe for certification of new airframes, powerplants, and other aerospace technology is flexible enough to adapt to electric- and hydrogen-powered aircraft and other advanced air mobility (AAM) technologies. But it’s also a framework that needs additional regulatory capacity to keep pace with innovation, according to a panel of experts during an EBACE Connect seminar on Wednesday.

 


First and foremost, the panelists agreed, is that any new aviation technology undergoes the same level of safety scrutiny as any technology before it. “The regulations that are in place are on the one hand capable of both accommodating innovation [and] on the other hand ensuring that safety is being guaranteed,” said Joachim Lucking, the European Commission’s head of unit for aviation safety.

 


A good example of the accommodation of innovation is EASA’s type certification in June of Pipistrel’s Velis Electro two-seat trainer, Lucking added. “They have been able to certify the airplane despite the rules [that] were written in a pre-electric age,” he said. “In addition to certification, they needed to create a number of rules around this in relation to operations of such an electric airplane, training of pilots, etc. And they have been able to deal with all these challenges by using the existing rules in a flexible way.”

 


Robert Dingemanse, PAL-V CEO and co-founder, said that “in general” EASA’s regulatory framework has accommodated his company’s development of the Liberty flying car, which in February received a "<a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-02-25/easa-clears-way-pal-v-certify-its-liberty-flying-car">clear path</a>" to certification from EASA. “That’s what we found out,” Dingemanse said. “It takes time, about 10 years, but it works.” Still, some adaptations to pilot training had to be made to the legal framework, he added. “I think the main challenge we have, not the framework, is the capacity of the regulator side to really be able to deal with all these innovations.”

 


Based on the observations he’s made in his travels to other countries such as China and the U.S., “I think we have a big, big opportunity in Europe now to be one of the big leaders in this new advanced air mobility if we ensure that there’s enough capacity of the regulator side,” Dingemanse said.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Europe's Reg Framework Enables Innovation, but Capacity Needed

An EBACE Connect panel discussion suggests an existing regulatory framework allows for aviation innovation, but capacity is a concern.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

Kaleyesus Bekele

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Industry group presses for regulatory progress and continuity across the continent 

African Bizav Strives for Greater Market Opportunity

Amy Wilder

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Rule would not apply to insulin-treated diabetes

FAA Proposes Easing Medical Approvals for Diabetic Pilots

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Regulations and Government

African Bizav Strives for Greater Market Opportunity

Industry group presses for regulatory progress and continuity across the continent

FAA Proposes Easing Medical Approvals for Diabetic Pilots

Rule would not apply to insulin-treated diabetes

Congress OKs Stopgap Government Funding Measure

Move averts potential shutdown

Longtime Bizav Attorney Gary Garofalo Flies West

His career spanned more than five and a half decades

New Treasury Rule Limits LLC Information Reporting

The revision relaxes some provisions of the Corporate Transparency Act

Nancy Kassebaum, Architect of GA Product Liability Reform, Dies

Kassebaum pushed through the General Aviation Revitalization Act

Nav Canada Increases ATC Service Charges

Increased fees are to recover pandemic shortfall

FAA InFO Outlines CVR Upgrade Deadlines

Larger new bizav aircraft face 2027 deadline, while small new turbine bizav aircraft have 2029 deadline

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN