EVTOL Certification in FAA and EASA Performance-Based Regulation Environments: A Bird Strike Study-Case

Abstract

Considering the new generation of air mobility vehicle that has been developed, the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft operation will become a reality in the next years. This paper studies the main concerns that can be pointed out due to the different certification approaches that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have been applying for this kind of aerial vehicle. The paper explores the 14 CFR Part 23-64 and CS-23-5 reorganization to demonstrate how these changes into the requirement structure will be important and influence the eVTOL certification basis construction. Based on the high probability of bird strike events that an eVTOL may face due to its altitude operation, a study-case for a bird strike certification using the known FAA and EASA approaches is performed, considering the current regulation presented into Part 23/CS-23, Part 27/CS-27, Part 29/CS-29 and SC-VTOL-01. The main differences concluded in this evaluation and possible risks and difficulties that an applicant will face during the process are then explored. A final comparison between a bird strike certification process that may be required by FAA and EASA is presented, as well as a recommendation based on the study.