eVTOL Regulations: FAA, EASA & Global Standards
Aviation regulators worldwide are establishing certification frameworks for eVTOL aircraft. From the FAA's powered-lift category to EASA's SC-VTOL standards and CAAC's pioneering type certificate for EHang, this guide tracks the regulatory landscape shaping the future of urban air mobility.
Quick overview: Multiple eVTOL aircraft are in final stages of FAA and EASA type certification in 2026. Congress introduced the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act in February 2026 to accelerate FAA certification. China has already issued the world's first eVTOL type certificate. AIR became the first eVTOL certified under the MOSAIC rule in August 2025. Over 20 companies are in active certification programs across 10 or more countries.
Certification Progress Tracker
Track the certification status of every major eVTOL program worldwide. This table shows where each company stands in the regulatory approval process.
| Company | Regulator | Stage | Expected Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joby Aviation | FAA | TIA Phase — ~70% Through Type Certification | 2026 |
| Joby Aviation | EASA | Certification Application Filed | 2026–2027 |
| Archer Aviation | FAA | Final Stage FAA Type Certification | 2026 |
| Lilium | EASA | DOA Approved, TC in Progress | 2026 |
| Volocopter | EASA | SC-VTOL Enhanced — Advanced | 2025–2026 |
| EHang | CAAC | Type Certificate Issued (216-S) | Certified 2023 |
| EHang | FAA | Certification Application | 2026–2027 |
| Vertical Aerospace | EASA / CAA | Certification Testing | 2026–2027 |
| Beta Technologies | FAA | ALIA CX300 — Type Certification | Early 2026 |
| Wisk Aero | FAA | Autonomous TC Application | 2028 |
| AutoFlight | EASA | Certification Application Filed | 2026 |
| SkyDrive | JCAB | Type Certificate Application | 2026 |
| LIFT Aircraft | FAA | Type Certification Initiated | 2026 |
| AIR (Israel) | FAA (MOSAIC) | First eVTOL Certified Under MOSAIC | Certified Aug 2025 |
Status as of February 2026. Certification timelines are subject to change based on testing results and regulatory review processes.
Regulatory Frameworks by Region
Each major aviation market is developing its own regulatory approach to eVTOL certification and operations. Here is a detailed breakdown of frameworks by region.
United States (FAA)
Part 21 Type Certification / Part 135 OperationsThe FAA certifies eVTOL aircraft under an adapted Part 21 airworthiness standard, creating a new powered-lift category. Commercial passenger operations fall under Part 135 air carrier regulations. The FAA published a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) to establish pilot training and certification requirements for powered-lift aircraft. On February 16, 2026, Congress introduced the bipartisan Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act, directing the FAA to use industry consensus standards for certification, provide clearer timelines with 270-day response targets for G-1/G-2 issue paper reviews, and allow outsourcing of routine certification tasks. This legislation aims to accelerate U.S. competitiveness as Joby, Archer, Wisk, and Beta await final FAA sign-offs. Key milestones include Joby at approximately 70% through Type Certification with FAA pilot testing expected in 2026, Archer in the final stage of FAA Type Certification, and Beta Technologies targeting early 2026 certification for the ALIA CX300.
Advanced — Congress bill introduced Feb 2026 to accelerate certification; first type certificates expected 2026
Europe (EASA)
SC-VTOL Special Condition / MOC-2The European Union Aviation Safety Agency published SC-VTOL, a dedicated certification framework for VTOL aircraft with two categories: Basic for simpler operations and Enhanced for commercial passenger transport over congested areas. The Enhanced category requires a catastrophic failure rate of 10 to the minus 9 per flight hour. EASA also published Means of Compliance (MOC-2) providing detailed technical standards. Volocopter and Lilium are the most advanced European applicants.
Frameworks published — First certifications 2025–2026
China (CAAC)
Special Conditions for Unmanned eVTOLChina's Civil Aviation Administration of China became the first regulator to issue a type certificate for a passenger-carrying eVTOL when it certified the EHang 216-S in 2023. CAAC has established special conditions for both piloted and autonomous eVTOL operations and is developing operational regulations for urban air mobility services in cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai. China aims to be the first country to deploy large-scale UAM services.
First type certificate issued — Commercial ops launching
UAE (GCAA)
Fast-Track eVTOL CertificationThe UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority has established a fast-track certification pathway for eVTOL aircraft, accepting validation of foreign type certificates from the FAA and EASA. Dubai has been one of the most proactive cities in planning for UAM operations, with dedicated vertiport infrastructure planning and regulatory sandboxes for testing. The UAE has signed partnerships with Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation for Dubai operations.
Fast-track pathway active — Operations planned 2025–2026
Japan (JCAB)
Powered-Lift Aircraft StandardsJapan's Civil Aviation Bureau is developing certification standards aligned with both FAA and EASA frameworks. Japan has established a public-private council for Advanced Air Mobility and plans to showcase eVTOL services at the 2025 Osaka Expo. SkyDrive and Joby Aviation are pursuing JCAB certification for Japanese operations. The Japanese government has invested significantly in AAM infrastructure and regulatory development.
Standards in development — Targeting 2025–2026 operations
Singapore / South Korea
Regional UAM FrameworksSingapore's CAAS is developing a comprehensive UAM regulatory framework including airspace management, vertiport standards, and operator certification requirements. South Korea's MOLIT has published a Korean Urban Air Mobility Roadmap targeting commercial services by 2025, with regulatory frameworks for aircraft certification, infrastructure, and operations. Both countries are conducting flight demonstrations and building vertiport infrastructure.
Regulatory frameworks advancing — 2025–2026 targets
Key Regulatory Topics
Beyond aircraft certification, regulators are addressing a wide range of topics critical to safe and efficient eVTOL operations.
Type Certification
The foundational approval demonstrating that an aircraft design meets all airworthiness standards. Involves thousands of test points covering structural integrity, propulsion reliability, flight controls, electrical systems, crashworthiness, and emergency procedures. Both the FAA and EASA require demonstration of a catastrophic failure rate no greater than one in a billion flight hours.
Operational Certification
Operators need an Air Operator Certificate to conduct commercial passenger flights. In the United States, this falls under Part 135 Air Carrier regulations requiring maintenance programs, pilot qualification systems, safety management systems, and operational control procedures. The process typically takes 12 to 24 months and involves extensive FAA auditing and oversight.
Pilot Licensing
The FAA created a powered-lift category within the pilot certificate structure specifically for eVTOL operations. Pilots need a Commercial Pilot License with powered-lift rating plus aircraft-specific type ratings. Training requirements include ground school, simulator hours, and flight experience. EASA is developing equivalent standards aligned with their existing licensing framework.
Airspace Integration
Dedicated UAM corridors at 500 to 2,000 feet AGL will be established for eVTOL operations. The FAA is developing UAM Airspace Management systems including digital flight rules, automated separation, and real-time airspace authorization. Unmanned Traffic Management systems will coordinate eVTOL traffic with traditional aviation and drone operations to maintain safe separation.
Noise Regulations
Both the FAA and EASA are developing noise certification standards specific to VTOL aircraft. Current proposals define maximum noise levels at standardized measurement points during takeoff, landing, and overflight. Community noise restrictions will also influence vertiport locations. eVTOLs at 60 to 65 decibels have a significant advantage over helicopters at 95 to 100 decibels, opening up locations that were previously restricted.
Vertiport Standards
The FAA's Engineering Brief 105 and EASA's Prototype Technical Design Specifications establish standards for vertiport design and construction. Requirements cover landing pad dimensions, obstacle clearance surfaces, fire safety systems, passenger facilities, charging infrastructure, lighting, marking, and accessibility. Local zoning and environmental regulations add additional requirements depending on the vertiport location.
eIPP — eVTOL Integration Pilot Program
The FAA's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) is designed to accelerate real-world eVTOL operations. Participant selection launches in March 2026, with operations required to start within 90 days of selection. The program focuses on pre-certification flight demonstrations using mature aircraft, allowing companies to prove operational readiness before full type certification is complete. Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation have confirmed their engagement with the eIPP, positioning them for early commercial demonstration flights.
MOSAIC Rule
The FAA's Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certificates (MOSAIC) rule provides a simplified certification pathway for personal eVTOLs via the Light Sport Aircraft category. Pilot privilege provisions became effective October 22, 2025, while aircraft certification provisions take effect July 24, 2026. Under MOSAIC, pilots can operate qualifying eVTOLs with a Sport Pilot License requiring as few as 15 hours of minimum training. AIR, an Israeli company, became the first eVTOL certified under MOSAIC in August 2025. Other beneficiaries of the MOSAIC pathway include Skyfly and Pivotal.
Part 108 BVLOS NPRM
Released in January 2026, the FAA's Part 108 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking establishes performance-based regulations for UAS Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. The rule introduces UAS Traffic Management (UTM) third-party services for airspace coordination and establishes the framework for advanced airspace management needed for eVTOL operations at scale. While primarily targeting drone operations, Part 108 lays critical groundwork for the automated traffic management infrastructure that will support high-density urban air mobility corridors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about eVTOL regulations, certification processes, and the regulatory timeline for commercial air taxi operations.
What is an eVTOL type certificate?
A type certificate is a government-issued document certifying that a specific aircraft design meets all applicable airworthiness standards and is safe for commercial operations. For eVTOLs, this involves years of testing, analysis, and documentation demonstrating compliance with thousands of individual requirements covering structural integrity, propulsion reliability, flight controls, electrical systems, crashworthiness, and more. The FAA and EASA require a catastrophic failure rate of no more than one in a billion flight hours, the same standard applied to Boeing and Airbus commercial jets.
How long does eVTOL certification take?
The typical eVTOL type certification process takes 5 to 8 years from initial application to certificate issuance. This includes 1 to 2 years for certification basis agreement, 2 to 3 years for design and documentation review, and 2 to 3 years for compliance testing and demonstration flights. Companies like Joby Aviation began the process in 2018 and are now approximately 70% through Type Certification with FAA pilot testing expected in 2026. Archer Aviation is in the final stage of FAA Type Certification with full certification expected in 2026. The bipartisan Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act introduced in February 2026 aims to accelerate timelines by requiring 270-day FAA response targets for issue paper reviews. Additionally, the MOSAIC rule provides a simplified certification pathway for personal eVTOLs via the Light Sport Aircraft category, with AIR becoming the first eVTOL certified under MOSAIC in August 2025.
Can an eVTOL certified in one country fly in another?
Not automatically. While bilateral agreements between aviation authorities can streamline the process, each country's regulator must independently validate or accept the foreign type certificate. The FAA and EASA have existing bilateral agreements that facilitate mutual acceptance of certifications with some additional review. Countries like the UAE and Singapore have established fast-track validation pathways that accept FAA or EASA certifications with supplemental requirements. Full reciprocity across all markets may take several years to achieve.
What pilot license is required to fly an eVTOL commercially?
In the United States, the FAA is establishing a powered-lift category rating under the existing commercial pilot license structure. Pilots must hold a Commercial Pilot License with a powered-lift category rating and the specific type rating for the eVTOL aircraft they will operate. The FAA published a Special Federal Aviation Regulation defining training requirements, flight time minimums, and practical test standards for powered-lift pilots. Additionally, the MOSAIC rule (pilot privileges effective October 22, 2025) enables a simplified Sport Pilot License pathway for personal eVTOLs in the Light Sport Aircraft category, requiring as few as 15 hours of minimum training. European requirements under EASA are similar, with a specific VTOL type rating added to an existing commercial license.
How will eVTOLs integrate into existing airspace?
eVTOL airspace integration involves establishing dedicated UAM corridors in urban areas, typically at altitudes of 500 to 2,000 feet AGL, below traditional aircraft traffic but above most buildings and obstacles. The FAA is developing the UAM Airspace Management framework including digital flight rules, automated separation services, and real-time airspace authorization. In January 2026, the FAA released the Part 108 BVLOS NPRM establishing performance-based regulations for UAS Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations, including UAS Traffic Management (UTM) third-party services that will provide the advanced airspace management framework needed for eVTOL operations at scale. Initial operations will use existing air traffic control procedures, transitioning to more automated systems as traffic density increases.
What noise regulations apply to eVTOLs?
eVTOL noise regulations are still being developed, but both the FAA and EASA are establishing noise certification standards for VTOL aircraft. Current proposals include maximum noise levels at specific measurement points during takeoff, landing, and overflight. The inherently quiet nature of eVTOLs at 60 to 65 decibels gives them a significant advantage over helicopters at 95 to 100 decibels. Community noise standards will also influence where vertiports can be located, with municipalities having authority to set local noise restrictions that may be more stringent than federal standards.
What are the vertiport regulatory requirements?
Vertiport standards are being established by both the FAA through Engineering Brief 105 and EASA through their Prototype Technical Design Specifications. Requirements cover landing pad dimensions of 15 to 30 meters depending on aircraft size, obstacle-free approach and departure surfaces, fire suppression systems, passenger handling facilities, charging infrastructure safety, lighting and marking, and accessibility requirements. Local zoning and building codes also apply, and vertiports may require environmental impact assessments depending on their location and anticipated traffic volume.
Is autonomous eVTOL operation legal?
Currently, no country has certified fully autonomous eVTOL passenger operations, though China has come closest with EHang's autonomous 216-S certification. The FAA and EASA are developing regulatory pathways for autonomous flight, starting with remote pilot supervision and progressing to fully autonomous operations as the technology and regulatory frameworks mature. Wisk Aero has applied for FAA certification of an autonomous air taxi. Most industry experts expect initial autonomous passenger operations by 2028 to 2030, with wider regulatory approval by 2032 to 2035.
What operational certification do eVTOL operators need?
Beyond the aircraft type certificate, operators need an Air Operator Certificate or equivalent. In the United States, this is a Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate requiring demonstration of operational control, maintenance programs, pilot training and qualification systems, safety management systems, drug and alcohol testing programs, and financial fitness. The certification process typically takes 12 to 24 months and involves extensive auditing by the FAA. Some operators like Joby are pursuing both manufacturer and operator certificates simultaneously to accelerate time to market.
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