Murzilli Consulting’s regulatory newsletter for the latest in UAS, eVTOL & AAM/IAM updates.
The revised Easy Access Rules (EAR) address the advancing airworthiness of UAS operations in the specific category by incorporating:
🔸Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1108
🔸Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1110
The EAR for Unmanned Aircraft Systems can be downloaded from the EASA website and will be regularly updated to accommodate further relevant changes.
Feedback can be submitted using the contact form on EASA’s Easy Rules page.
JARUS Airworthiness Working Group (WG-AW) have published CS-HAPS Airworthiness recommendations for HAPS Version 1.0. The document was initially inspired by CS-UAS (Certification Specifications for UAS) to act as guidance material for the Type Certification of High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS). It is intended to identify the differences between HAPS, traditional aircraft and UAS.
The recommendations were proposed to support the certification of HAPS involved in HAO (higher airspace operations). Part of these recommendations could potentially be used to support operational authorisation for HAPS involved in HAO eligible for authorisation according to the SORA Methodology.
The document notes that the risk model defined in the current SORA 2.5 context is currently not suitable for HAPS operations, but it may be updated in future versions of SORA.
The Certification Memorandum (CM) provides guidance on a type certification approach for Electric/Hybrid Propulsion Systems (EHPS). It was created due to the novel boundaries between aircraft, engine and propeller for EHPS and the challenges and complexities that come with using the typical methods for the systems’ certification.
This CM can be used as guidance for any EHPS used to provide or produce lift/thrust/power for crewed or uncrewed flights. It applies for both normal and emergency operations on all aircraft applications.
Feedback can be submitted using the EASA Comment Response Tool.
The MoC, developed by the Airworthiness Task Force (AW TF) under the UAS Technical Body (TeB), provides guidelines for UAS designers/manufacturers for UAS SAIL III operations to show compliance with:
OSO#19 - systems detecting and/or recovering from human errors
OSO#20 - requires a human factor evaluation to be performed, and the HMI (human machine interface) is appropriate for the mission.
Applicants wishing to use an alternative SAIL III MoC must contact the relevant authority for assessment.
This Means of Compliance (MoC) is intended to show compliance with Special Condition (SC) Light-UAS High Risk.2510 (a) and (b). The MoC can be used to supplement the engineering and operational judgement basis for a compliance demonstration.
The MoC is for UAS SAIL V and VI operations and is intended as a general requirement and does not cover cybersecurity or qualification aspects (e.g. HIRF (high-intensity radiated fields)/EMI (electromagnetic interference)).
Comments on the consultation paper should be submitted using the EASA Comment Response Tool (CRT).
EUROCONTROL Innovation Hub conducted a survey from 29 UAS test centres across its Member States to collect data about the European UAS industry’s capabilities, operations and the challenges they face.
The survey aimed to collect and share best practices among the test centres and highlight trends in the collective data to further evolve standards and regulations.
The analysis in the survey shared important data such as:
🔸The participating test centres have expanded from drone-focused testing to drone ecosystem testing
🔸38% of testing centres host European co-funded projects (with the majority under SESAR)
🔸66% of testing centres reported their operational growth is limited by flight approval from the authorities
🔸9 of the test centres are currently equipped with UTM/U-space solutions
🔸The test centres are well-distributed, with 14 locations across Europe, 58% have been in operation for more than five years, and 89% of them for at least two years
EASA’s annual safety recommendation review provides information on accident and incident investigation and follow ups. It also higlights the current safety issues and improvement actions for the European aviation community and the public.
The issue is in its 17th edition and includes:
🔸Data statistics on safety recommendations addressed by Safety Investigation Authorities to EASA in 2023
🔸Response information on 2023 safety recommendations
🔸Main safety issues that have been addressed and the actions that were taken
The guidance document provides a way to collect resources to complement the Modified Handling Qualities Rating Method (MHQRM) used in the proposed Means of Compliance (MoC) for Special Condition Vertical Take-off and Landing ( SC VTOL) operations.
MHQRM applications are intended to demonstrate compliance with SC VTOL Handling Qualities (HQs) requirements.
The standard, issued in June 2024, is intended to provide the recommended minimum requirements for the processing of aeronautical data. It can be used as a support guide for aeronautical data chain participants and regulatory authorities to meet their responsibilities.
The standards supersede ED-76A and take into account the suggested changes provided by feedback from the industry and authorities and the relevant regulatory and technical standards.
The IAM Hub, the digital space to enable industry stakeholders to exchange information on air taxis and drones, focuses on sustainability and geographical information.
The latest version contains the following additions:
🔸The current list of approved drones for EU operations, including a direct link for registering drones and manufacturer guidelines
🔸A new section on drone and eVTOL sustainability including a standard methodology known as Environmental Footprint Aviation for Delivery Drones (open for consultation via EASA Comment Response Tool until August 27)
🔸New geographical information such as statistical drone operations, population density and a test case for Geo Zone information from Portugal
🔸Guidance material on how to access financial support and EASA design verification for drones.
🔸A new start page
Did we miss any news about drone regulations? Write to us, and we’ll add it to next month’s edition!
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See you in the skies and beyond,
Team Murzilli
