DGCA Releases Guidelines for eVTOL Aircraft Certification in India

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has released a circular setting baseline airworthiness criteria for Vertical Take-Off and Landing capable aircraft. The move aims to streamline certification and ensure safety of emerging eVTOL technologies in India. This initiative aligns with global standardization efforts and boosts Indian industry innovation.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday announced an advisory circular detailing baseline airworthiness criteria for certifying Vertical Take-Off and Landing capable aircraft (VCA). Currently powered by electrical systems, VCAs aim to streamline certification processes and ensure the reliability and safety of emerging electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) technologies in India.

The advisory specifies comprehensive safety requirements covering design, construction, structural integrity, flight performance, equipment, power plant installation, flight crew interface, and other essential information necessary for type certification of eVTOL aircraft. This directive follows extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders.

This DGCA initiative aligns with global efforts to standardize eVTOL certification and fosters innovative developments in the Indian industry for manufacturing eVTOLs and their components. As the eVTOL and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sectors rapidly evolve, further iterations of these requirements are expected.

This directive is a significant milestone towards broader Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) implementation in India. It follows last week's advisory on vertiports for eVTOLs. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)