FAA pauses eVTOL ruling pending policy review
March 11, 2025
The Federal Aviation Administration has temporarily suspended the enforcement of its new “Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Certification and Operations” ruling pending further review, although it is unlikely what realistic effect, if any, the current nine-day extension will have to eVTOL developers. However, should the hiatus be extended for any longer duration, OEMs may potentially be impacted by a lack of regulatory clarity.
As of 11 March, “the FAA will not take enforcement action against regulated entities for failing to comply with the final rule” initially published on 21 November 2024, revealed the agency. This has now been delayed to 20 March, following US President Trump’s ‘Regulatory Freeze Pending Review’ directive enacted in late January.
This freeze requires “executive departments and agencies to consider postponing for 60 days the effective date for any rules that had been published in the Federal Register but had not taken effect for the purpose of reviewing any questions of fact, law and policy that the rules may raise”.
Essentially, the ruling detailing the proposed integration of air taxi operations and pilot training provision will now be paused to “allow the officials appointed or designated by the President to review the final rule” to ensure it is consistent with new Administration policies, clarified the FAA.
The 21 November final rule set out permanent amendments and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for a period of ten years, aiming to facilitate certification of powered-lift pilots, clarify eVTOL operating rules, “and finalise other amendments which are necessary to integrate powered-lift into the National Airspace System”. Well-received among the industry for providing clarity within an emerging legislative area, the majority of the ruling came into effect as of 21 January.
Speaking in October 2024, Archer Aviation founder and CEO Adam Goldstein had praised FAA on the release of SFAR, explaining: “Now, Archer has a clear roadmap to pioneer eVTOL here in the US. Our team is full speed ahead in our ongoing partnership with the FAA as we work towards commercialisation as soon as possible”.
