Definition

A powered lift aircraft is one that is capable of vertical takeoff, vertical landing, and low speed flight. Powered lift is a new category of aircraft established by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These aircraft have characteristics of both airplanes and helicopters. Applications for use include air taxi, cargo delivery, air ambulance, and a variety of operation within rural and urban areas.

Background

Powered lift represents the first new category of civil aircraft established by the FAA since helicopters were introduced during the 1940s. FAA said these aircraft, which are considered part of advanced air mobility (AAM), are "typically highly automated, electrically powered, and have vertical takeoff and landing capability." 

FAA previously determined it could certify powered lift aircraft using existing regulations and it updated other regulars so air taxis could be used commercially. It also determined that a new pilot-training and qualifications rule was needed because existing regulations did not address this new category of aircraft. The final rule was published in Oct. 2024. The rule also address powered lift aircraft operational requirements, including minimum safe altitudes and required visibility. 

An FAA fact sheet said, "This rule addresses the unique challenges of introducing a new hybrid category of aircraft, such as training pilots to fly aircraft that have both helicopter and airplane characteristics and operational characteristics unique to aircraft in the powered lift category." The fact sheet says powered-lift aircraft can fly anywhere other aircraft fly today, depending on aircraft capabilities and pilot qualifications. However, scheduled airlines will not fly powered-lift aircraft under this SFAR. Also, the rule covers only piloted aircraft, and not drones.

Safety Considerations

Powered-lift aircraft present a number of safety considerations for regulators and operators. One of the most crucial involves the transition from vertical takeoff to horizontal flight. Some experts consider that the highest-risk phase of flight, due to configuration changes, aerodynamics, flight dynamics, and mechanical issues.

Because of such engineering challenges, regulators anticipate the need for thorough flight testing. A draft FAA advisory circular states: "Many powered-lift (aircraft) incorporate highly complex, integrated designs with distributed propulsion systems and flight control effectors. These aircraft no longer fit within the definitions and underlying assumptions in establishing (function and reliability) testing requirements."

"Because powered-lift (aircraft) lack a pedigree of operational experience and demonstrated reliability, the FAA finds a need for more thorough flight testing," the draft circular said. "As such, the FAA expects to use at least 300 hours of operation . . . as the baseline for powered-lift," the document said.

Training and Certification

The Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) established in the final rule, will allow powered-lift pilots to train with a single set of flight controls. Previous rules required two sets: one for the student and one for the instructor. The FAA has established three options for training with single flight controls:

• One set of controls accessible by both the student and instructor.
• Expanded use of simulators to prepare for solo flight.
• Deviation authority for future technical advances.

Because of the unique characteristics of powered-lift aircraft, each will require a specific type rating.

The FAA describes the new SFAR as a "performance-based regulation." As defined by the FAA, this means the regulation "specifies the measurable outcome to be achieved without prescribing specific requirements to achieve it." The agency says the goal of performance-based regulation is to accommodate rapidly developing design and manufacturing processes with more flexibility. As an example, the FAA fact sheet says powered-lift aircraft that have demonstrated the capability to autorotate or conduct an approved equivalent maneuver may comply with the minimum safe altitudes approved for helicopters.