European Commission updates airworthiness regulation to include eVTOL aircraft
The European Commission has introduced a new regulation, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/111, amending Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 to enhance the framework for the continuing airworthiness of electric- and hybrid-propulsion aircraft, including electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and other non-conventional designs.
The regulation, published on 23 January 2025, addresses gaps in the previous framework, which did not fully accommodate all eVTOL aircraft types.
Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014, which establishes requirements for aircraft maintenance, the qualifications of personnel, and the release-to-service standards, previously classified all tilt-rotors as complex motor-powered aircraft.
However, this approach led to stringent requirements being applied universally, even to simpler tilt rotors.
The new rule introduces a nuanced framework to address this disparity.
The regulation states:
“By considering all tilt-rotors as complex motor-powered aircraft, Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 was not commensurate for the simplest ones as stringent requirements applicable to any complex motor-powered aircraft was also applicable to the simplest tilt-rotors, for which less stringent requirements should apply by comparison with simple aircraft of other categories, namely aeroplanes and helicopters. Therefore the definition of complex motor-powered aircraft should therefore be amended.”
This adjustment ensures that regulatory requirements are proportionate to the complexity of the aircraft, providing clarity for operators and manufacturers of eVTOLs and other non-conventional designs.
The updated rules bring eVTOLs under the EU’s airworthiness maintenance regulations.
For instance, eVTOL operators are now required to:
– Have their maintenance programmes approved by the competent authority in line with point M.A.302 of Annex I (Part-M).
– Ensure maintenance is performed and certified under points 145.A.48 and 145.A.50 of Annex II (Part-145).
– Conduct airworthiness reviews and secure new airworthiness review certificates in accordance with point M.A.901 of Annex I (Part-M).
For further details, the regulation is available on the European Union’s official website.