Building something as unique as a flying taxi or a personal air vehicle and bringing it to market wouldn’t have been possible until the overhaul. Thanks to private industry’s efforts to work hand-in-hand with the FAA, Part 23 went from 277 rules down to 74 rules in addition to new means of compliance contained in consensus standards that groups like GAMA helped create. Changing longstanding federal rules takes time, effort and a dedicated group working toward the same goal. That’s why it made sense for Embry-Riddle to be directly involved with GAMA as a host, idea incubator and consensus builder for aviation manufacturers and owner operators from all over the world. “It’s the perfect setting,” said Anderson, who leads the university’s aerospace research and design facility, known as the Eagle Flight Research Center. “GAMA is engineering plus aviation and Embry-Riddle is engineering plus aviation.” A member of GAMA since 2016, the university continues to be the only
As head of the GAMA initiative designed to address Part 23, Bowles took the lead at GAMA while countless others across industry also worked with the FAA. “Being able to sit down with people from all over the world in a collaborative aviation environment like Embry-Riddle no doubt added to our success,” he said. With Embry-Riddle on the leading edge of UAM and new technologies such as hybrid electric propulsion, helping change older standards is key to pioneering future aircraft, Anderson said. The speed in certification is essential to bring new aircraft to market. “This allows significantly more innovation because you don’t have to change the rules to do something novel,” Anderson said. As hundreds of UAM companies worldwide continue to push technology to new heights, the work with the FAA is expected to be ongoing. New standards for electric propulsion, structures and materials are being adapted and written regularly to respond to evolving technologies, said Bowles, who transitioned from GAMA to join Joby Aviation in late 2019. Now head of governmental affairs role at Joby, Bowles said the UAM startup’s first vehicle is currently being certified by the FAA with a 2023 target date set for commercial service. Looking back at his time at Embry-Riddle, Bowles said he is grateful for the contribution his former professor and alma mater have made to opening the door for innovative new aircraft and propulsion development. “The flexibility in the new rules create a really optimum environment. We would be at a standstill without it,” Bowles said. “This is more exciting than I thought this could ever be. The things that my children will be able to do in aviation are going to be amazing.”
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74
academic member of the organization — a testament of
its leadership in technology and in the regulatory environment for certification, said Christine DeJong, the current director of global innovation and policy at GAMA. “The relationship also gives the university an opportunity to present its research to industry while giving faculty insights into the types of skills the upcoming workforce will require.”
R E D U C T I O N Part 23 was reduced from 277 rules to 74. Many details transitioned to new standards, which are being updated regularly.
Embry-Riddle Writer Jon O’Neill contributed to this report. Image Credit: Joby Aviation
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