Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft will soon share the skies with hybrid flying machines that are in their own category — literally. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a special federal aviation regulation (SFAR) that establishes its first new category of civil aircraft since helicopters came on the scene in the 1940s.
The FAA says “powered lift” aircraft include air taxi, cargo delivery, air ambulance, and other operations. The FAA says these advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft are “typically highly automated, electrically powered, and have vertical takeoff and landing capability.” They bring with them their own set of safety and engineering issues.
“The FAA will continue to prioritize the safety of our system as we work to seamlessly integrate innovative technology and operations,” FAA Administrator Mike …
