Las Vegas, Nevada

Release of new FAA rule critical to continued US leadership in advanced air mobility

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has welcomed the Federal Aviation Administration’s release of a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) to establish requirements for the safe, efficient integration of advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft into the nation’s aviation system.

FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker unveiled the SFAR during the keynote at NBAA’s 2024 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas. Sitting alongside NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen on the keynote stage, Whitaker said the SFAR will be key to making AAM flights a reality.

“Advanced air mobility promises to change the very definition of on-demand aviation worldwide,” Bolen said. “Given the speed at which the technology is developing, it is critical that all stakeholders have clear, official guidance for AAM operations. We commend the FAA for providing that guidance with the publication of this new rule.”

The SFAR, “Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Certification and Operations; Miscellaneous Amendments Related to Rotorcraft and Airplanes,” contains important operational and airman qualification requirements for powered-lift and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
More broadly, the SFAR establishes rules for AAM aircraft specific to a variety of business aviation operations in Parts 91, 135 and 136, including intracity and regional transportation; medevac and disaster relief operations and air tours.

The rule’s formulation has benefited from collaboration between government leaders and industry organizations, including NBAA, as well as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the National Air Transportation Association, Vertical Aviation International and the Vertical Flight Society.

In June 2023, the FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking on the SFAR and invited industry comments. NBAA, informed by the association's AAM Roundtable and Emerging Technology Committee, provided direction to government agencies on proposals with potential impact for pilots, manufacturers, infrastructure developers and other stakeholders.

In May of this year, Congress passed and the president signed into law legislation to reauthorize the FAA, including a mandate to safely and efficiently integrate AAM into the national airspace, in part by finalizing the SFAR.

“The wide collaboration between industry and government in the rulemaking process promoted safety and innovation,” Bolen said. “Finalizing the SFAR will be a key next step in preserving our nation’s leadership in aviation.

View the SFAR