_Regulation · Safety standard_

# FAA Part 21.17(b) Type Certification Path for eVTOL Powered-Lift Aircraft

Canonical ID: `529db1b0-29a9-4235-b704-3d95004e8dbd`

- **Jurisdiction:** [United States](/locations/united-states.md) (id: `aa8b9c05-c836-4021-801f-59801970401e`)
- **Kind:** `safety_standard`
- **Status (derived):** in_effect
- **Effective:** 2025-01-01

FAA established Part 21.17(b) as the certification basis for powered-lift eVTOL aircraft. Joby Aviation is the FAA reference case, having reached Stage 4 certification and TIA testing. Archer Aviation is following a similar path for its Midnight eVTOL. Joby targeting late 2026 type certificate.

## Sources (1)

1. https://www.commercialuavnews.com/faa-regulation-certification-aam-joby-archer-electra · 2026-01-01

## Status history

- **in_effect** · 2025-01-01 · agent-recon
    - Initial ingestion

## Common questions

### What does FAA Part 21.17(b) Type Certification Path for eVTOL Powered-Lift Aircraft cover?

FAA established Part 21.17(b) as the certification basis for powered-lift eVTOL aircraft. Joby Aviation is the FAA reference case, having reached Stage 4 certification and TIA testing. Archer Aviation is following a similar path for its Midnight eVTOL. Joby targeting late 2026 type certificate.

### Where does FAA Part 21.17(b) Type Certification Path for eVTOL Powered-Lift Aircraft apply?

FAA Part 21.17(b) Type Certification Path for eVTOL Powered-Lift Aircraft is recorded as a safety_standard applying in United States on the DEPLOY registry.

### When did FAA Part 21.17(b) Type Certification Path for eVTOL Powered-Lift Aircraft take effect?

FAA Part 21.17(b) Type Certification Path for eVTOL Powered-Lift Aircraft is recorded as effective January 1, 2025 on the DEPLOY registry.

### Is FAA Part 21.17(b) Type Certification Path for eVTOL Powered-Lift Aircraft still in effect?

FAA Part 21.17(b) Type Certification Path for eVTOL Powered-Lift Aircraft is currently in effect and applies to covered operators in the named jurisdiction.

### What types of robots does FAA Part 21.17(b) Type Certification Path for eVTOL Powered-Lift Aircraft apply to?

FAA Part 21.17(b) Type Certification Path for eVTOL Powered-Lift Aircraft is recorded as applying to drones on the DEPLOY registry.

### Which robot models on the DEPLOY registry fall under FAA Part 21.17(b) Type Certification Path for eVTOL Powered-Lift Aircraft?

8 robot models on the DEPLOY registry match the form-factor scope of FAA Part 21.17(b) Type Certification Path for eVTOL Powered-Lift Aircraft: A200-XT, AEVEX Strike Drone, AIR ONE, ALIA-250 and 4 others. Form-factor scope match does not by itself establish compliance status; review the underlying primary sources for each operator.


_API: GET /v1/regulations/529db1b0-29a9-4235-b704-3d95004e8dbd · sources: /v1/regulations/529db1b0-29a9-4235-b704-3d95004e8dbd/sources · status: /v1/regulations/529db1b0-29a9-4235-b704-3d95004e8dbd/status · canonical URL: /regulations/faa-evtol-type-certification-part-21-17b_