The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has reorganized its certification directorate, combining the divisions in charge of general aviation fixed-wing and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, as well as drones. David Solar, who reports to EASA certification director Rachel Daeschler, is in charge of the new agency, which began operations on January 1. Solar previously oversaw the VTOL division, which includes helicopters.
According to a spokesperson, “this will include all general aviation services [including business jets] and all VTOL, as well as the registration of eVTOL [aircraft] and drones.” The directorate, on the other hand, does not regulate operations or flight crew licensing for these types of aircraft.
The European Aviation Safety Agency stated that the final version of its means of enforcement for its current Special Condition VTOL type certification rules would be published in early 2021. The spokesman told AIN that the scheduled publication in December had been postponed because it required more time to consider the large number of industry comments received in response to draft proposals published in May 25,2020
The final version of the means of enforcement for a special requirement for certifying hybrid and electric propulsion systems will be released by EASA in the early part of this year, according to the agency.