The current common European regulatory framework for civil aviation safety was initially designed for conventional fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, balloons, airships, and sailplanes. The existing framework relies on the active contribution of human beings, increasingly assisted by automation, be it on board or on the ground. Propulsion is mostly provided by piston or turbine engines, using fossil fuels.
The introduction of new technologies and air transport concepts (from multimodal vehicles to autonomous vehicles) requires revisiting this framework. The objective of this Rulemaking Task (RMT).0731 is to address new technologies and operational air transport concepts by adapting, where necessary, the regulatory framework. A general principle that governs this RMT is that future requirements should be technology neutral, where possible, e.g. performance-based instead of prescriptive, while ensuring legal certainty.
This RMT includes the following three streams of activities (Subtasks):
- Continuing Airworthiness (CAW) rules for electric and hybrid propulsion aircraft and other non traditional aircraft (Subtask 1);
- Aircrew and Air Operations rules for gyroplanes (Subtask 2); and
- Aircrew, Airspace Usage, and Air Operations rules for tilt rotors (Subtask 3).
Note: this draft RMT.0731 Issue 2, introduces Subtasks 2 and 3 for consultation with the European Aviation Safety Agency’s Advisory Bodies (EASA ABs). ToR RMT.0731 Issue 1 on Subtask 1 was published on September 09, 2020 following consultation with the EASA ABs.