Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Certification and Operations; Miscellaneous Amendments Related to Rotorcraft and Airplanes

<RULE> DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION <SUBAGY>Federal Aviation Administration</SUBAGY> <CFR>14 CFR Parts 1, 11, 43, 60, 61, 91, 97, 111, 135, 136, 141, 142, and 194</CFR> <DEPDOC>[Docket No. FAA-2023-1275; Amdt. Nos. 1-78, 11-69, 43-62, 60-8, 61-157, 91-379, 97-1340, 111-2, 135-147, 136-4, 141-26, 142-11, and 194-1]</DEPDOC> <RIN>RIN 2120-AL72</RIN> <SUBJECT>Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Certification and Operations; Miscellaneous Amendments Related to Rotorcraft and Airplanes</SUBJECT> <HD SOURCE="HED">AGENCY:</HD> Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). <HD SOURCE="HED">ACTION:</HD> Final rule. <SUM> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUMMARY:</HD> This final rule adopts permanent amendments and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for a period of ten years to: facilitate the certification of powered-lift pilots, clarify operating rules applicable to operations involving a powered-lift, and finalize other amendments which are necessary to integrate powered-lift into the National Airspace System (NAS). In this final action, the FAA finalizes its alternate framework to stand-up initial groups of powered-lift pilots and flight instructors. Most notably, the FAA adopts alternate frameworks to facilitate the certification of pilots seeking qualifications in a powered-lift with single functioning flight controls and a single pilot station. In response to commenters, the FAA provides clarification for certain operating rules and adopts a performance-based approach to certain operating rules to enable powered-lift operations. In addition to finalizing provisions for powered-lift, this action also makes changes to practical tests in aircraft that require type ratings, including airplanes and helicopters, training center rotorcraft instructor eligibility, training and testing requirements, and training center use of rotorcraft in flight training. </SUM> <EFFDATE> <HD SOURCE="HED">DATES:</HD> This final rule is effective January 21, 2025, except for amendatory instruction 52 which is effective July 21, 2025. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this final rule are approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of January 21, 2025. </EFFDATE> <HD SOURCE="HED">ADDRESSES:</HD> For information on where to obtain copies of rulemaking documents and other information related to this final rule, see “How to Obtain Additional Information” in the <E T="02">SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION</E> section of this document. <FURINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:</HD> For technical questions concerning this action, contact Christina Grabill, AFS-810, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-1100; email <E T="03">9-FAA-Powered-Lift@faa.gov.</E> </FURINF> <SUPLINF> <HD SOURCE="HED">SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:</HD> <HD SOURCE="HD1">Table of Contents</HD> <EXTRACT> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">I. Executive Summary</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Purpose of the Regulatory Action</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Aircraft Certification</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Airman Certification</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Operational Requirements</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">E. International Operation of Powered-Lift</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">F. Summary of the Costs and Benefits</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">G. SFAR Framework and Duration</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">II. Authority for This Rulemaking</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">III. Background</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. General</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Summary of the NPRM</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. General Overview of Comments</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Differences Between the NPRM and the Final Rule</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">IV. Powered-Lift Type Certification and FSTD Qualification</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Type Certification</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Noise Certification</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Qualification of Powered-Lift Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs)</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">V. Certification of Powered-Lift Pilots</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Establish a Type Rating Requirement for Persons Seeking To Act as PIC of Powered-Lift</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Applicability of the Type Rating Requirement to Military Pilots</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Applicability of the SIC Qualification Requirements of § 61.55 to Powered-Lift</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Dual Controls Considerations Related to Flight Training and Supervised Operating Experience</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">E. Supervised Operating Experience of § 61.64</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">F. Establishment of an Alternate Pathway for Pilot Certification</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">G. Training in an Approved Program Under Parts 135, 141, and 142</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">H. Practical Tests</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">I. Miscellaneous Amendments</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">J. Part 135 Pilot Qualifications</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">K. Part 142 Training Centers</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">L. Subpart K of Part 91 Pilot Qualifications</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">VI. Operational Rules for Powered-Lift</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Introduction</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Part 91 Rules for Powered-Lift</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Part 97 Rules for Powered-Lift</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Part 135 Rules for Powered-Lift</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">E. Part 136 Rules for Powered-Lift</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">F. Part 43 Applicability to Powered-Lift</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">G. Pilot Records Database</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">VII. Air Traffic Operations</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">VIII. International Operations for Powered-Lift</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Personnel Licensing</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Operations of Aircraft</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Airworthiness of Aircraft</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">IX. Advanced Air Mobility</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">X. SFAR Framework and Duration</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">XI. Autonomous Powered-Lift</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">XII. Comments to Regulatory Impact Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">XIII. FAA Readiness</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">XIV. Definitions</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Definition of Powered-Lift</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Definition of Flight Modes</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Definition of Heliport</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Definition of Autorotation</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">XV. Other Comments Related to Powered-Lift</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Other Comments Related to Language or Definitions in the Powered-Lift NPRM</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Safety Systems or Procedures Not Addressed in the NPRM</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Other Comments Related to Powered-Lift Design</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Congressional Comments</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">XVI. Related Rulemakings</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">XVII. Severability</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">XVIII. Regulatory Notices and Analyses</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Summary of the Regulatory Impact Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Regulatory Flexibility Act</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. International Trade Impact Assessment</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Unfunded Mandates Assessment</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">E. Paperwork Reduction Act</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">F. International Compatibility</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">G. Environmental Analysis</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">H. Regulations Affecting Intrastate Aviation in Alaska</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">I. Congressional Review Act</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">XIX. Executive Order Determinations</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Executive Order 14036, Promoting Competition in the United States Economy</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">C. Executive Order 13132, Federalism</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">D. Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">E. Executive Order 13211, Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">F. Executive Order 13609, Promoting International Regulatory Cooperation</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">XX. Additional Information</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">A. Electronic Access and Filing</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP1-2">B. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act</FP> </EXTRACT> <HD SOURCE="HD1">List of Abbreviations and Acronyms Frequently Used in This Document</HD> <HD SOURCE="HD2">Abbreviations and Acronyms Used in This Document</HD> <EXTRACT> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">ACO—Aircraft Certification Office</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">ACS—Airman Certification Standards</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">APD—Aircrew Program Designee</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">AIH—Aviation Instructor's Handbook</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">AQP—Advanced Qualification Program</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">ATC—Air Traffic Control</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">ATP—Airline Transport Pilot</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">ATO—Air Traffic Organization</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">CAMP—Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">CFIT—Controlled Flight Into Terrain</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">CFR—Code of Federal Regulations</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">CLOA—Certificate and Letter of Authority</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">CVR—Cockpit Voice Recorder</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">DPE—Designated Pilot Examiner</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">GPS—Global Positioning System</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">GPWS—Ground Proximity Warning Systems</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">ELT—Emergency Locator Transmitter</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">ERT—Extended Review Team</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">FDR—Flight Data Recorder</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">FFS—Full Flight Simulator</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">FSB—Flight Standardization Board</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">FSBR—Flight Standardization Board Report</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2"> FSTD—Flight Simulation Training Device </FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">FTD—Flight Training Device</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">HAA—Helicopter Air Ambulance</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">HTAWS—Helicopter Terrain Awareness Warning System</FP> <FP SOURCE="FP-2">ICAO—International Civi ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Preview showing 10k of 1710k characters. 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