Regulatory Challenges & Harmonization needs for Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) Certification in Advanced Air Mobility
ICAO Working Paper
Assembly – 42nd Session
Agenda Item 24: Aviation Safety and Air Navigation Priority Initiatives
TE/195
25/8/25
(Information paper)
English only
REGULATORY CHALLENGES AND HARMONIZATION NEEDS FOR ELECTRIC
VERTICAL TAKE-OFF AND LANDING (EVTOL) CERTIFICATION IN
ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY
(Presented by the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries
Associations (ICCAIA))
Executive Summary
Advanced air mobility (AAM), driven by electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, offers
a promising solution to urban congestion and sustainable aviation goals. eVTOLs are designed for lower
cost, reduced noise, and enhanced redundancy, but public trust hinges on safety certification.
Certification authorities Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) European Union Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) and Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC)) are applying performance-based
frameworks yet differ in standards and safety objectives. These differences, particularly in functional
development assurance levels (FDALs) and failure probabilities—create regulatory fragmentation.
Noise regulations also diverge, with EASA adopting specific vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)
limits and FAA applying legacy helicopter and tiltrotor standards; lack of harmonized requirements risks
duplicative certification, increased cost, and barriers to market access. Authorities differ in how they
incorporate operational use into design certification, impacting mutual validation.
It is also crucial to have a harmonized and globally interoperable approach to pilot licensing during the
initial operational phase. Current FAA and EASA approaches to VTOL operations differ, underscoring
the need for international harmonization of pilot licensing and training. Existing frameworks should
support initial operations, with a tailored, competency-based framework developed for the longer term.
ICAO’s future role in setting global standards is critical for streamlining certification and public
acceptance. Early-stage mutual recognition of primary certifications is crucial for reducing regulatory
burdens. Without harmonization, eVTOL deployment faces challenges related to scalability, cost, and
international operability.
Strategic Goals: This working paper relates to: The Economic Development of Air Transport Assures the
Delivery of Economic Prosperity and Societal Well-Being for All.
Financial implications: None.
Read the full paper here: Regulatory challenges and harmonization needs for electric vertical take-off and landing (evtol) certification in
