A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation aimed at streamlining parts of the FAA’s type certification process, with a particular focus on eVTOL and advanced air mobility aircraft.
The bill, introduced on February 18, 2026, establishes new timelines for certification reviews, requires congressional reporting on certification progress, and addresses bottlenecks that AAM companies have cited as barriers to reaching commercial service.
The Problem the Bill Addresses
Type certification – the process by which the FAA determines a new aircraft design is safe for commercial operation – has historically taken years and hundreds of millions of dollars. For entirely new categories of aircraft like eVTOLs, the process is even more complex because the FAA is simultaneously developing the standards against which these aircraft will be judged.
AAM companies have consistently pointed to certification timelines as the single largest constraint on reaching commercial service. Joby Aviation, the furthest along, has been in the certification process for years and is only now beginning for-credit flight testing on a conforming aircraft. Archer, Beta Technologies, and others face similar timelines.
The issue is not that the FAA is being unreasonable – safety standards must be rigorous. The concern is procedural: open-ended review cycles, unclear milestones, and limited transparency about where a certification project stands relative to completion.
What the Bill Does
Key provisions:
- Certification review timelines. Establishes defined periods within which the FAA must complete specific steps in the type certification review process. This addresses the open-ended nature of current reviews.
- Congressional reporting. Requires the FAA to report to Congress on the status of AAM certification programs, creating external accountability for progress.
- Process clarity. Aims to reform and clarify the certification framework specifically for advanced air mobility aircraft, including eVTOLs and powered-lift designs.
- Bipartisan support. The bill has co-sponsors from both parties, signaling that AAM certification reform has broad political support – not a given in the current legislative environment.
What It Does Not Do
The bill does not lower safety standards. It does not bypass the certification process. It does not grant certificates to any specific company. It creates procedural requirements intended to make an existing process more predictable and accountable.
This distinction matters. The AAM industry’s credibility depends on aircraft that are certified to the same rigorous standards as conventional aviation. Faster certification must come from more efficient processes, not reduced safety requirements.
Why This Matters for Rural Communities
Certification speed directly affects deployment timelines, and deployment timelines determine when rural communities see service:
Every month of certification delay is a month of delayed deployment. Rural routes – lower volume, higher cost to serve – will typically launch after urban routes. If urban certification and launch are delayed, rural service is pushed even further out.
Regulatory predictability attracts investment. Companies and investors make infrastructure decisions based on expected certification timelines. When those timelines are unpredictable, investment gets deferred. Clear, accountable certification processes make it easier for companies to commit to rural route planning.
Congressional attention validates the sector. For rural community leaders seeking state and federal support for AAM infrastructure, bipartisan congressional engagement demonstrates that advanced air mobility is a serious policy priority, not a speculative technology bet.
What to Watch
- Bill progress. Committee hearings and markup will determine whether the bill advances in the current session.
- FAA response. The agency may implement some reforms administratively, independent of legislation.
- Beta Technologies CX300. The bill was introduced alongside reporting on Beta’s certification progress – the company is a test case for whether reformed processes can accelerate timelines.
- Impact on eIPP. Faster certification could mean some eIPP projects transition from pilot testing to commercial service sooner than expected.
The Bottom Line
Legislation does not build aircraft or fund vertiports. But it can remove the procedural barriers that slow everything else down. For rural communities waiting for AAM service, this bill is a signal that Washington understands the urgency – and is willing to act on it.
The certification reform bill was introduced February 18, 2026, with bipartisan co-sponsors.
