The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), India’s aviation oversight body, has released rules for certifying airplanes that can vertically lift off and land. They have also published an advisory circular that sets out the essential air safety standards for certifying Vertical Take Off and Landing Capable Aircraft (VCA) models.
These planes are driven by an electric motor system and are referred to as eVTOLs.
“This important move intends to simplify the certification procedure and guarantee the security and dependability of new electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technologies in India,” the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated in a statement on Wednesday.
The air travel safety performance of India has greatly enhanced: DGCA’s Yearly Safety Assessment-2023 shows marked progress in air travel safety over the last couple of years. Important statistics like Risk Bearing Airprox and GPWS/EGPWS alert rates have been greatly decreased, showing improved safety protocols. The assessment highlights a strategy focused on using data to pinpoint and tackle new safety challenges.
The advisory circular offers detailed specifications on safety needs for the design, building, structural robustness, aerodynamic performance, equipment, generation of power, interaction of the flight crew with the aircraft, and additional data necessary for the approval of eVTOL aircraft types.
This latest action is included in strategies aimed at advancing air transportation technology solutions.
The DGCA also mentioned that this program is in line with worldwide goals to make eVTOL certifications consistent and supports the Indian sector’s creativity in creating and producing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and their parts. In the last week, the governing body released a guidance document regarding vertiports intended for the operations of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.