Submitting Campus

Prescott

Department

Applied Aviation Sciences

Document Type

Article

Publication/Presentation Date

1-20-2025

Abstract/Description

As the aviation industry stands on the brink of a revolutionary change, aspiring pilots are increasingly drawn to the exciting prospect of flying electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The allure of this cutting-edge technology has many asking: “How does one become an eVTOL pilot in the United States?” This question opens up a cascade of inquiries about the future of flight training, the certification process and the transition for existing pilots into this new realm of aviation like:

• What will the flight training curriculum look like for eVTOL aircraft?

• Who will be the pioneering Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) for this new category?

• How can pilots with existing FAA certificates, such as commercial or airline transport, transition to eVTOL operations?

• What are the requirements for flying eVTOLs in cargo or passenger air charter operations under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 (Commuter and On-Demand Operations)?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) answered these questions and more in its groundbreaking Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). Published in October 2024, and titled “Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Certification and Operations; Miscellaneous Amendments Related to Rotorcraft and Airplanes – Final Rule,” this regulation makes the path to becoming an eVTOL pilot more clear. This article delves into the new SFAR and what it means for aspiring eVTOL pilots who will lead the future of air travel.

Publication Title

Autonomy Global

Publisher

Autonomy Global

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