FutureFlight
EASA Proposes eVTOL Certification Means of Compliance
EASA's Special Condition VTOL certification requirements include an Enhanced category for commercial operations in urban environments.
Volocopter 2X eVTOL aircraft
Germany-based Volocopter is one of many companies planning to certify its eVTOL aircraft under EASA's proposed Special Condition rules. [Photo: Volocopter]

EASA has published proposed methods for certifying eVTOL aircraft in a further step towards establishing a framework for type certification. The "Proposed Means of Compliance with Special Condition VTOL" document was issued on May 25 and industry stakeholders have until July 24 to comment.

The agency described the proposals as the “third building block” in establishing rules for certifying both hybrid-electric and all-electric aircraft. It follows the publication of EASA’s special condition VTOL document in July 2019 and proposed certification requirements for propulsion systems, for which the consultation deadline has been extended until June 19.