Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called for faster aircraft certification on Wednesday, citing concerns that lengthy approval processes could discourage aviation innovation and investment. Speaking at a Washington event, Duffy said the United States risks falling behind China unless regulators find ways to shorten certification timelines while maintaining safety standards.
“We need to make sure we have safe aviation, but can we move faster?” Duffy said, according to Reuters. He also questioned whether lengthy certification processes were discouraging manufacturers from developing new aircraft.
FAA Targets Certification Delays
The remarks come after an FAA proposal in June to modernize certification standards for transport-category aircraft and propulsion systems. The proposed changes would incorporate frequently granted exemptions, special conditions and equivalent-level-of-safety findings into existing regulations.
The FAA expects the revisions to reduce certification costs and administrative delays while maintaining or improving safety. The changes would also be intended to bring certain U.S. standards closer to European requirements, as outlined in the agency’s earlier Part 25 updates proposal.
Certification Timelines Under Scrutiny
This reform push comes as several major aircraft programs have faced extended certification delays. Boeing’s 737 MAX 7 received FAA certification in August after a process lasting more than eight years, while the manufacturer’s 777X program remains more than five years behind its original schedule. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford has also expressed support for certification reform and previously disclosed that the agency was working with industry on projects to streamline the process.
The June proposal specifically addresses transport-category aircraft and propulsion systems. It does not directly revise certification requirements for smaller Part 23 general aviation aircraft. Separately, lawmakers have advanced legislation addressing certification timelines for advanced air mobility aircraft. The FAA’s transport-category proposal completed its extended public comment period Sept. 24, and the agency has not announced a date for a final rule.
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