Operational Requirements Analysis for Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Vehicle in the Brazilian Regulatory Framework

Abstract

Air passenger transport is expected to change, in the next years, the urban air mobility (UAM) environment. New technologies are enabling the introduction of a new concept of aircraft, referred to as electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL), with vertical take-off and landing capability, distributed electric propulsion system and low noise level compared to helicopters. This article presents an analysis of the Brazilian Civil Aviation Regulations (RBAC) No. 91 and 135, which address the minimum requirements for commercial operations of commuter and on-demand public passenger transport with airplanes with up to 19 seats. The objective of this article is to identify the technical and regulatory barriers to initiating the eVTOL operation in Brazil and to validate the current operational air traffic rules. After the analysis of the operational requirements and the current Air Traffic Management (ATM) infrastructure for helicopter operation, the minimum required and recommended navigation, communication and surveillance equipment are identified, as well as the main operational limitations for the operation of this type of aircraft in transporting passengers. This analysis is just the beginning of a broader study and there are many challenges to support an increased eVTOL operations.