FAA proposes faster commercial aircraft certification framework

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FAA faster certification framework

Highlights

The FAA proposes updates to modernize airworthiness standards, aiming to align with EASA and reduce certification time, costs, and exemptions.
The new framework targets manufacturers like Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, and Bombardier, streamlining approval cycles while maintaining or raising safety standards.
The FAA and EASA report significant progress on certifying Boeing's 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 variants, with FAA in final certification stages.

Proposed rule changes and certification timeline

As reported by the Federal Aviation Administration, the agency is proposing updates to modernize airworthiness standards for commercial airplanes and reduce the number of exemptions, special conditions and equivalent safety findings needed during certification.

The FAA says closer alignment with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency would give manufacturers more consistent requirements across markets and cut the time, cost and complexity involved in winning approval for new aircraft. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford has pushed reforms and said earlier this year the agency has projects underway with industry to identify ways to streamline the process.

Approvals for new airplane models can take years and require extensive testing and data review. Mike Whitaker, the previous FAA administrator, told Reuters in 2024 that the agency was also examining how better technology could help simplify the process.

Implications for manufacturers and current programs

The proposal could support manufacturers including Boeing, Airbus, Embraer and Bombardier, which face long development and approval cycles before new models can enter service. The FAA says the modernization effort would reduce certification time and expense while maintaining or increasing safety standards.

The policy push also comes as the FAA and EASA work through approvals for Boeing's 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 variants. The two agencies said last week they are making significant progress, while Deputy FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau says the agency is in the final stages of certifying the smaller MAX 7 and larger MAX 10.

EASA Executive Director Florian Guillermet says validation of the MAX 10 for service is a top priority for the European regulator. Boeing had hoped to secure certification for the MAX 7 in 2022, but the program has faced a series of setbacks.

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