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In the world of aviation certification, words are not just words—they are precise technical and legal terms. A single misinterpretation can lead to months of delays, costly redesigns, or even a failed application. For drone and eVTOL companies, many of which hail from Silicon Valley, the military, or other tech sectors, a significant and often underestimated barrier is language. The jargon you use every day in your field may have a completely different, highly specific meanin

Achieving FAA or EASA certification for a complex drone or eVTOL is one of the most demanding engineering and regulatory challenges in the world today. It's a multi-disciplinary endeavor that stretches far beyond simply understanding the rules. While a consultant with deep regulatory knowledge is vital, that alone is not enough. True success requires a fully integrated ecosystem of specialized partners working in concert. More Than Just Regulatory Advice A regulatory expert c

FAA Part 107 is the backbone of commercial small drone operations in the United States, enabling a revolution in photography, surveying, and inspections. However, it has clear limits: a 55-pound weight cap, visual line-of-sight (VLOS) only, and no allowance for operations over people (OOP) or carrying hazardous materials. For the next wave of drone innovation—autonomous cargo delivery, large-scale infrastructure monitoring, and passenger eVTOLs—you need to look beyond Part 10

The potential of the drone and eVTOL market is undeniably global. From logistics corridors spanning North America and Europe to aerial taxi services in major cities worldwide, success depends on the ability to operate across international borders. However, a major obstacle stands in the way: a complex and fragmented landscape of aviation regulations. Navigating the differences between the FAA (U.S.), EASA (European Union), Transport Canada, and other authorities is a certific

The regulatory landscape for drones and eVTOLs is not static. It is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by technological innovation and the urgent need to safely integrate these vehicles into our airspace. For companies planning for the long term, understanding the future trajectory of certification is as important as navigating its current state. Several key trends are poised to reshape the process, making it more streamlined, global, and manageable. The Push for Globa

For advanced drone operations—like flying BVLOS or over populated areas—simply checking boxes on a prescriptive list of requirements is not enough. Regulators need assurance that you have thoroughly understood and mitigated all potential risks. This assurance is delivered through a "safety case." A safety case is not a single document, but a structured argument, supported by a body of evidence, that demonstrates your system is safe for a specific operation in a specific envir

When you’re developing a revolutionary aircraft like an eVTOL or a large cargo drone, one of the first and most critical questions is: “Under what FAA rule will this be certified?” The answer isn’t always straightforward. These vehicles don’t neatly align with the regulations for normal airplanes (Part 23), rotorcraft (Part 27), or transport category aircraft (Part 25/29). This is where 14 CFR § 21.17(b) — the rule for “special class” aircraft — becomes your essential framewo

What is an FAA DER & Why Your Drone/eVTOL Project Needs One The path to FAA certification for a new drone or eVTOL aircraft is notoriously complex. For innovators moving at the speed of technology, navigating the meticulous world of aviation regulation can feel like an insurmountable hurdle. This is where a key figure becomes indispensable: the FAA Designated Engineering Representative, or DER. In simple terms, an FAA DER is a highly specialized engineer whom the Federal Avia

Modernized LSA: four seats, simplified controls, hydrogen/retractable gear in scope—within guardrails. Growing up with The Jetsons, you might have expected a family “car” that takes off, bypasses traffic, and lands near the office. The FAA’s MOSAIC final rule, especially new Part 22, doesn’t turn that fantasy into reality, but it removes outdated barriers that kept safer, capable light aircraft out of reach. This marks real progress, not just a dream. Part 22 updates the ligh

The aviation industry is accelerating toward an electrified future. As electric propulsion systems gain momentum, the integration of high-energy lithium-ion battery systems introduces a complex set of safety challenges. Chief among these is the risk of thermal runaway, a dangerous and potentially catastrophic chain reaction triggered by failures within a battery cell. In response to this urgent safety consideration, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has re

The recent Detect and Avoid (DAA) workshop, alongside panel discussions and a standards overview presented at the UAS Integration events in May 2025, offered a rich and nuanced perspective on the progress made by industry and regulators in safely integrating unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into diverse and complex airspace environments. These discussions highlighted both significant advancements and critical gaps that still require attention. A central theme highlighted is th

Between regulatory uncertainty, certification delays, and international expansion, our choices will shape the future of advanced air mobility. Archer Midnight Archer Aviation’s new “Launch Edition”  program marks a significant move in that landscape. Midnight eVTOL aircraft will be deployed in Abu Dhabi before FAA type certification in partnership with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) and the UAE’s GCAA. The goal is to build operational readiness, generate early-stage revenue, and c

The FAA faces leadership instability The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is at a crossroads, facing leadership instability, regulatory slowdowns, and potential legislative shifts. With changes in political priorities and budget constraints, aerospace professionals must prepare for an evolving regulatory environment that could impact certification timelines, compliance efforts, and industry growth. What’s Happening? The Federal Aviation Administration is experiencing sig

At Martin Solutions LLC, we see these developments as crucial for the future of drone operations. The FAA's proposed changes are set to drive significant growth in areas such as drone delivery, agricultural monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and emergency response. Our team actively engages with these emerging opportunities, ensuring we are at the forefront of this rapidly evolving industry. As the landscape of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) continues to evolve, the Fede

During my tenure, the engineering team at the TCCA RPAS Task Force embarked on their R&D program with limited resources but with a firm dedication to the importance of their research. This commitment, which was not deterred by resource constraints, was pivotal for safely integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System. In this journey, we were fortunate to have outstanding partners, notably Sabrina Saunders-Hodges from the FAA. Sabrina welcomed TCC

Strategic Partnership Formed Between NIAR AVET & MTEC WICHITA, KS – JULY 27, 2024 – The National Institute for Aviation Research's Advanced Virtual Engineering and Testing (NIAR AVET) has formed a strategic partnership with Martin Solutions LLC (MTEC), an engineering consultancy firm,  to deliver certification solutions for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). This collaboration integrates extensive certificat

SMS is designed to minimize incidents, accidents, and fatalities by enabling aviation organizations to identify hazards and mitigate risks proactively. SMS achieves these goals through several key methods: Addressing potential issues early enhances the safety of products or services, preventing incidents, accidents, or fatalities. SMS supports better decision-making by prioritizing resources based on data analysis. Consistent terminology and communication strategies foster a

At the AUVSI Conference in San Diego, I had the opportunity to listen to industry leaders on the energy panel, including Andy McCauley, Manager at BGE Exelon; Cynthia Huang, CEO of ACSL INC.; James Pierce, Manager of Robotic Inspection at Ameren; Christine Asaro, Project Advisor in San Diego; and Slade Bridges, Analyst at Southern Company. The utility industry is rapidly evolving with the integration of drone technology, bringing forth a wave of innovations to enhance operati

Our collaboration with the entire American Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (AATI) team has been a fantastic journey, and the collective effort

Introduction In previous discussions, we have examined the drone initiatives by regulatory bodies such as the FAA and EASA, which have implemented progressive tools for drone operations that have begun to show promising results. Despite these advancements, the aviation industry's regulatory framework often adopts a "one size fits all" approach to certifying diverse products. This method, predominantly applied to larger Part 25 airplanes operating under Part 121, has significa