FAA aircraft approval overhaul bill sets 90-day deadline for new public guidance

What does this do?

HR 7553 requires the FAA to publish a public plan to speed up and clarify its type certification process, the official approval required for new aircraft designs. The bill sets standard expected timelines for key steps and allows repeat approvals to become standing policies rather than restarting from scratch each time. The FAA must also clearly define which certification tasks can be delegated to companies and their representatives, which require direct government oversight, and how the agency will track cases where it chooses not to delegate.

Who does it affect?

Aviation companies, especially startups developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and other advanced flying vehicles, along with traditional aircraft manufacturers, are most directly affected. FAA employees including safety inspectors and engineers, as well as airport operators, would also be involved in carrying out the changes.

Why does it matter?

Companies developing new aircraft types currently face long, unpredictable wait times and unclear rules in the certification process. If the bill results in faster certification, new types of air travel could become available to the public sooner, though the bill does not guarantee any specific outcome.

Where does it stand?