IN PREPARATION for commercial air taxis and complex drone operations, Asia-Pacific aviation regulators have identified eight priority areas in drawing up guidelines that will be ready by 2025.

This was at the inaugural meeting of Asia-Pacific regulators on advanced aircraft mobility (AAM) and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), initiated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and convened in Singapore on Thursday (Nov 9).

AAM refers to a new form of aviation with smaller craft that cover shorter distances, such as “air taxis”. The most common type of AAM is electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with many now being developed by startups.

Six priority areas were identified for AAM. One area is that of certification, validation and acceptance, which covers considerations in approving AAM aircraft. Another is “entry into service” – the considerations and regulatory amendments needed to allow such aircraft to be put into service.

The other areas are “facilitation”, or cooperation between national agencies so that such aircraft can operate; economic policies and regulations for commercial activities of these aircraft; capability building for civil aviation authorities; and public education to promote acceptance, including addressing concerns such as safety, privacy or pollution.

Two areas of priority were identified for UAS, commonly known as drones.

GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY

Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign UpVIEW ALL

One is technical guidance – considering the aircraft, pilot and organisation – to facilitate drone operations that take place beyond the visual line of sight, known as BVLOS operations.

The other is personnel training, including the qualifications and training needed for civil air authority personnel to use these technical guidance materials.

With these areas of focus, civil aviation authorities will cooperate to develop reference materials, expected to be ready in 2025. These reference materials can then be used to implement regulations and practices in the regulators’ home countries, paving the way for commercial adoption of AAM and implementation of complex drone operations.

Industry observers said the move is a positive one.

Subhas Menon, director-general of the Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines, said: “This is a positive move for the industry, as it gives a clearer timeline for the eventual adoption of AAM and UAS for the region.”

Joshua Ng, director at consulting company Alton Aviation, added: “What CAAS is doing to bring regulators together is commendable. It helps to foster a convergence in the regulatory regimes for these new types of vehicles and accelerate the development of a common framework of AAM and UAS regulations in the region.”

The meeting was attended by civil aviation authorities of 17 countries including China, India, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.

There were 24 AAM and UAS institutes and companies present, along with major international aviation organisations.