WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined a bipartisan group of senators in introducing the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act to streamline the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) type certification process for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft.
The legislation sets timelines and standards for FAA’s certification process to prevent gridlock and provide clarity to industry applicants without compromising air safety. The bill will bring transparency to FAA certification, help American AAM companies succeed, and cement the United States’ role as a global leader in aviation.
“Advanced Air Mobility platforms will revolutionize the American economy. The Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act is a crucial step to securing American drone dominance. Our bill will provide much needed clarity and certainty as we seek to establish American leadership in these critical technologies and lay the groundwork for the future of air transportation,” said Senator Young.
In addition to Senator Young, the bill was introduced by Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), John Curtis (R-Utah), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.).
Specifically, the Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act:
- Establishes standard expected timelines for the FAA’s type certification process for AAM aircraft for the Agency to respond to petitions for exemptions of aircraft type, and to develop means of compliance for aircraft outside of the existing types of AAM aircraft.
- Sets transparent and reliable standard expected ranges of time for the issue paper process, so that type certification applicants know how long reviews will take, reducing uncertainty and delays.
- Directs the FAA to define when an issue paper is required in the certification process, while providing flexibility for the Agency on complex, safety issues.
- Directs the FAA to report to the relevant congressional committees on the status of implementing the certification regulations and managing workload.
- Clarifies when the FAA can delegate routine compliance findings to qualified personnel, allowing Agency experts to focus on complex, safety-critical issues.
- Updates delegation guidance for type certification to cover new and novel technologies related to AAM, including eVTOL aircraft.
The Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act is endorsed by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA); Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA); Archer Aviation; Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI); Beta Technologies; Boeing; General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA); Joby Aviation; National Air Transportation Association (NATA); National Business Aviation Association (NBAA); Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS); Vertical Aviation International (VAI); and Wisk Aero.
