U.S. Must Achieve Leadership in Advanced Air Mobility

A new generation of safe and efficient advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft is preparing to take flight, ushering in an era that will transform travel and create a more sustainable future for aviation. Ensuring the smooth integration of these aircraft into the existing aviation ecosystem is a critical task for regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which became law in May, includes specific directives and clear timelines for regulatory action that will help the U.S. keep pace with other countries in the highly competitive world of advanced air mobility and hopefully remain the global leader in aviation for the next generation, according to Dave Shilliday, Honeywell AAM Vice President and General Manager.

“America has been the world’s aviation leader since the days of the Wright Brothers,” Shilliday said. “Advanced Air Mobility will define the future of aviation, and we must make sure the U.S. remains highly competitive in this exciting growth market.”

“The FAA has made significant progress, and it’s critical that they continue to lead the way by removing regulatory hurdles that could delay the entry into service of future aircraft or hinder AAM market growth in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world,” he continued.

Honeywell Advanced Air Mobility Summit Focuses on the Future of Aviation

On September 19, Honeywell convened its third annual Advanced Air Mobility Summit in Washington, D.C., to discuss a wide range of topics, including the implications of the FAA Reauthorization Act on the AAM market. Summit participants included federal policymakers, global regulatory agency officials, AAM aircraft manufacturers and partners, and other AAM thought leaders. The theme for the event was “The Future of Aviation, Looking Ahead at Home and Abroad.”

“This year’s summit brought together influential members of the AAM community and key policymakers to discuss the regulatory barriers and challenges we face as this exciting industry takes flight,” Shilliday said. “This is a critical time in our history and it’s imperative that we highlight regulatory requirements and discuss how we can work together to ensure that the U.S. takes a leadership role as the AAM industry grows and matures and prospers.”

The FAA must prioritize AAM and work towards achieving type certification by 2025 and operational approvals by 2026. They also need to harmonize regulatory requirements with Europe and other countries and form partnerships involving aircraft manufacturers, technology providers, community leaders and other stakeholders to develop a safe, efficient and effective end-to-end AAM capability in the U.S. and worldwide.

Honeywell Infographic Shows Regulatory Progress

At the summit, Honeywell unveiled a new infographic illustrating the pathways the U.S., European Union, China, United Arab Emirates, and Japan are taking as they move through the regulatory process toward achieving AAM operations at scale.

Milestones along the maturity pathway include AAM certification basis, operational rules, first AAM vehicle certification and operational rules, initial AAM entry into service and AAM operations at scale. “For the infographic, we define ‘AAM operations at scale’ as a level of maturity that includes fully certified AAM aircraft, flown by licensed pilots, providing regular service for remuneration, with more than 10 landing pads per country,” said Pulkit Agrawal, Lead of Regulatory Affairs for AAM. “The infographic clearly shows that each country is moving forward independently, with China moving at the quickest pace and the U.S. lagging slightly behind.”

In late 2023, China’s EHang became the first global AAM manufacturer to receive a type certificate for its EH216-S uncrewed electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). So far, China is the only country to have issued an AAM type certificate.

In the U.S., the FAA and two leading AAM manufacturers – Archer and Joby – agreed on final certification basis for the companies’ new aircraft in August. Meanwhile, the FAA is working to finalize its operational rules, including AAM pilot requirements, by late October or early November.