Mission Task Element Development Process: an Approach to FAA Handling Qualities Certification

Development of new air vehicles (e.g., personal air vehicles, urban taxis, etc.) have led to a proliferation of Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) vehicle concepts including electric vehicles, many of which are well funded and are in various stages of prototype development and test. These vehicles will almost exclusively feature fly-by-wire flight control systems that may feature advanced response-types. The processes and requirements needed to certify these disparate vehicles for operation within the National Airspace System are still emerging. To aid in the requirements and certification process, a mission-oriented approach is being applied to define handling qualities mission task elements that will serve as a means of compliance with Part 23 certification requirements.