Groundbreaking roadmap for aircraft of the future released

The Roadmap for Advanced Air Mobility Aircraft Type Certification was released in Australia today.

It aims to ensure safety, foster collaboration, promote technological innovation, and streamline the certification and validation process for new aircraft types across international boundaries.

It was developed collaboratively by representatives from the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Transport Canada (TC), the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (NZ CAA), the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) and the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Aircraft type certification is a process that ensures a particular type of aircraft meets all the necessary safety and airworthiness standards set by aviation regulatory authorities.

Currently, traditional aircraft are type certified in the country of design using internationally harmonised airworthiness certification standards. Countries then validate the aircraft against these standards before the aircraft can be operated in other countries.

However, with new AAM aircraft types, there are differences in certification standards emerging across the world. The roadmap acknowledges these differences and provides a framework to converge and harmonise these standards.

Pip Spence, CASA Chief Executive Officer and Director of Aviation Safety, said there are significant benefits to collaborating across borders on advanced aircraft certification standards.

‘For operators, the Roadmap aims to reduce the certification burden once the AAM aircraft has received a type certificate and allow them faster entry to multiple countries through harmonised airworthiness standards and focused validation activities,’ Pip said.

‘By working together, we can ensure that the introduction of AAM aircraft is both safe and efficient, paving the way for the future of urban mobility.

‘Australia is excited to have been involved in this initiative, which is not only a world-first but will also help make urban and advanced air mobility a reality.’

About the working group

The Roadmap was created through a working group established by the national aviation authorities (NAAs) in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The network was established to foster co-operation, learning and sharing of best practices by working in partnership on common and emerging challenges in aviation and aerospace and is dedicated to advancing aviation safety and innovation through international cooperation and alignment of regulatory standards.