Regulation 9 April 2026 8 min
eVTOL Safety Certification: EASA, FAA and CASA Compared
How EASA SC-VTOL, FAA Part 21.17(b) and CASA acceptance frameworks compare — and why one certification usually unlocks the others.
EASA, FAA and CASA are the three certification regimes that matter for Australian operations. The three regimes are actively converging.
EASA SC-VTOL
The most complete framework, published as a Special Condition rather than amended Part 27/29. Enhanced category targets 10⁻⁹ catastrophic failure rate — full commercial airliner equivalence.
FAA Part 21.17(b)
A special class certification path derived from Part 23. Substantively aligned with EASA but with different documentation conventions.
CASA acceptance
Australia accepts EASA and FAA certifications with additional local validation. This makes Australia an efficient early market: the hard work is done offshore.