The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates civil aviation in the United States — the largest single market most eVTOL developers are targeting. Understanding the FAA’s approach is essential to reading any US manufacturer’s timeline.
How the FAA Certifies eVTOLs
The FAA certifies winged eVTOLs as powered-lift aircraft, using type certification under 14 CFR Part 21.17(b) with special class criteria tailored to each design. Three approvals matter: the type certificate (the design is safe), the production certificate (it can be manufactured consistently), and operational authority (an airline-style certificate under Part 135 adapted for powered-lift).
The Powered-Lift SFAR
In 2024 the FAA published its Special Federal Aviation Regulation for powered-lift operations — the first entirely new civil aircraft category framework since helicopters in the 1940s. The SFAR defines pilot certification pathways, operating rules, and training requirements, removing one of the biggest regulatory unknowns for US air taxi service.
What to Watch
Key milestones for any US program: completion of type inspection authorization (TIA) flight testing with FAA pilots, the type certificate itself, production certificate issuance, and the first Part 135 revenue routes. American developers such as Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation in our manufacturers database are furthest along this path — compare their aircraft in the eVTOL database.