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U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation, announced he has joined fellow senators to introduce the bipartisan Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act. The legislation aims to improve the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) type certification process for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft, including electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) models.

The bill seeks to increase FAA capacity, reduce bottlenecks, and make the certification process more transparent, helping strengthen the U.S. aviation industry and maintain American leadership in global aviation.

Key provisions of the legislation include establishing standard timelines for FAA certification, clarifying when issue papers are required, and setting clear ranges for review times to reduce uncertainty and delays. The FAA would also be required to report to Congress on the status of certification regulations and workload management. The bill allows the FAA to delegate routine compliance tasks to qualified personnel, enabling experts to focus on complex, safety-critical issues. It also updates guidance to cover new and emerging AAM technologies, ensuring the certification process keeps pace with innovation in the aviation sector.