U.S.A. and South Korea establish advanced air mobility partnership

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed on Saturday that it is to partner with the Korea Office of Civil Aviation (KOCA) future Advanced Air Mobility aircraft development and operations.

According to the FAA the signed agreement will see the two counties collaborate and share information on advanced air mobility projects and work together to promote the safety oversight of such projects.

“Collaborating with our international partners on safely integrating these new technologies will create more efficient, sustainable and equitable transportation options,” said Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen.

This is one of several eVTOL-related projects that is benefitting from an international partnership as multiple entities are pushing to achieve regulatory approval to utilise electric air taxis. The FAA has already announced similar partnerships with Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, where airlines are looking to create new transportation services using eVTOL aircraft to facilitate passenger access to airports. According to Reuters news agency, last month, the FAA issued the airworthiness criteria that Archer Aviation will need to meet for its M001 air taxi to be certified for use. The FAA released the criteria for public comment of Archer’s eVTOL after it made a similar announcement in November for Joby Aviation’s Model JAS4-1 eVTOL.