There is promise and excitement in the future of general aviation. Our industry is beginning to bounce back from the impacts of the pandemic and is seeing progress in innovative technologies and the development of highly-automated aircraft, in various configurations. This Advanced Air Mobility sector will create new opportunities across the broad spectrum of the industry.
As an international trade association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) works to foster and advance the general welfare, safety, interests and activities of the global business and general aviation industry. This includes promoting a better understanding of general aviation manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul, and the important role these industry segments play in economic growth and opportunity, and in serving the critical transportation needs of communities, companies and individuals worldwide.
Knowing that a new segment of industry was on the horizon, GAMA, in 2015, established the Electrical Propulsion and Innovation Committee (EPIC) to focus on the certification, production, operational and continued airworthiness aspects of electric and hybrid propulsion aircraft as well as introduction of increased automation and other key innovations into general aviation design. EPIC promotes partnerships by working collaboratively with the industry and global aviation regulators in key states of design, as well as supporting parallel initiatives at ICAO.
Initially starting with fewer than 10 member companies in 2015, EPIC now has more than100 active member companies participating and supporting collective work to address key issue areas. These areas vary widely but include electric and hybrid propulsion, automating traditional pilot tasks, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, infrastructure and machine-level communications.
While much of the effort so far has been focused on addressing the certification and operational aspects of these newer technologies, GAMA has also been leading efforts and supporting activities that promote the evolution of maintenance technicians and supporting infrastructure improvements to accommodate these newer technologies and products. For example, in 2018, we supported changes to the FAA’s Airman Certification Standards to update the materials to add new items to the knowledge, risk management, and skills section regarding hybrid and electric propulsion ground operations and servicing considerations. These changes will ensure the technicians are knowledgeable of the inherent risks associated with hybrid and electric propulsion aircraft systems and are better prepared to support these aircraft well into the future.
In addition to the FAA’s ACS efforts, GAMA is also partnering with industry consensus standards bodies such as ASTM’s Committee F46 on Aerospace Personnel, which focuses on defining the core competencies required of aviation maintainers, engineers and flight crews. Just last year, F46 launched a new, specialized subcommittee, F46.06 Autonomous and Electric Aircraft Maintenance Personnel, which is tasked with developing maintenance technician standards for next-generation aircraft including unmanned systems and Advanced Air Mobility aircraft. The standards are being created with input from a diverse and global team of industry and regulatory subject matter experts.
GAMA’s EPIC has also been coordinating with industry associations such as the Aircraft Electronic Association (AEA), Aerospace Industry Association (AIA), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and other industry organizations to develop hybrid and electric propulsion and flight control guidance to be used by operators when developing training materials for ground/servicing activities as well as infrastructure considerations. This report will help to identify potential hazards and accompanying risk mitigation strategies which should be considered for inclusion in training materials for ground crew who are expected to encounter hybrid and electric propulsion aircraft.
It will be essential that all the supporting sectors of Advanced Air Mobility are prepared for its emergence, especially the maintenance and repair sector. We look forward to continuing our work to transform aviation and facilitate transportation alternatives that are versatile and scalable with the proper infrastructure, security and economic policy decisions and investments. Our industry stands to gain significantly from this new frontier, and we must be ready to meet it head on.
