What the powered-lift rules cover

The FAA's newsroom page on the powered-lift final rule says the rule adopts permanent amendments and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation to certificate powered-lift pilots, clarify operating rules, and integrate powered-lift into the National Airspace System. Notice N 8900.732 says that final rule was published on November 21, 2024, as SFAR No. 120 in 14 CFR Part 194.

The FAA's Part 194 FAQ, last updated October 22, 2024, says an SFAR is an interim rule for a unique situation and that this one lasts ten years. It defines an aircraft in the powered-lift category as one that can take off vertically, land vertically and fly slowly, then fly like an airplane in cruise. It says the rule does not cover unmanned powered-lift and does not allow scheduled airlines to use powered-lift. It says the SFAR permits private, fractional-ownership, commuter and on-demand, and air-tour operations.

That is a pilot and operating rule. The same FAQ says the FAA can certificate the aircraft themselves under existing "special class" rules, and it treats that path as separate from SFAR 120. The NAA roadmap defines a type certificate as the design approval. Holding a place in a pilot-training rule, or flying under a test program, is not that approval.

Other authorities have their own basis for the design. EASA's Special Condition for VTOL, issued in July 2019, states airworthiness objectives for a type certificate for small person-carrying VTOL aircraft. The UK CAA decided to adopt that special condition, and published the decision on March 14, 2024. CAP 3002 says the scope is piloted VTOL aircraft with more than two lift/thrust units. JCAB Circular No. 1-031, dated March 22, 2024, is a policy for special conditions on certain electric VTOL type-certification exams, for aircraft at or below 3,175 kg and nine seats, non-pressurized. A special condition is the rule set an applicant shows compliance against. It is not the certificate.

Part 103 is a different rule again. As published by the Legal Information Institute, a powered ultralight is limited to one occupant, recreation or sport, no airworthiness certificate, empty weight under 254 pounds, and fuel not over 5 U.S. gallons. The Los Angeles Times reported that Pivotal classifies the Helix as a Part 103 ultralight and that it weighs about 355 pounds empty. This page does not resolve that difference.

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