The work of industry groups such as SAE International, ASTM International, and Eurocae in establishing technical standards covering multiple aspects of new aircraft and propulsion systems could be a key accelerator in making so-called advanced air mobility a reality. Attendees at last week’s Electric VTOL Symposium, organized by the Vertical Flight Society, heard how regulators’ acceptance of standards is streamlining the regulatory process for technology not covered by existing rules.
“There’s no doubt that it [certifying new products] would be more laborious without standards because the process would require more time and would be more expensive,” said Mark DeAngelo, an aerospace standards engineer with SAE International. “Based on over 100 years of experience with airplanes, these industry standards are a good way to demonstrate confidence [in the safety of products] and bring down costs.”
