The absence of relevant airworthiness standards and regulations has stymied efforts by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to certify some advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft, according to a U.S. government oversight agency.
The Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) said in a June 21 audit report that current FAA regulations are still primarily aimed at traditional small aircraft, and as a result, the agency has faced challenges in establishing criteria for AAM aircraft currently undergoing the certification process — those that can take off and land vertically and carry up to four passengers.
“Given their unique features, AAM aircraft do not fully fit into FAA’s existing airworthiness standards,” the report said, adding that in recent years, the FAA has made limi…
