CAE is a world leader in pilot training. I've been fortunate to meet their people and hear their views on the massive task to train an entire legion of new pilots for specific new aircraft. In October 22, 2024, the FAA released final rulings on eVTOL aircraft flight and operations which included training. As eVTOL are unlike fixed wing aircraft or rotary aircraft (helicopter), the FAA created a completely new aircraft category; Powered-Lift Aircraft. This includes electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft or air taxis. Although the powered-lift category has existed for a long time, it was largely unused in the civil context until recent innovations in electric propulsion made powered-lift aircraft more attractive. This updated FAA approach to powered lift aircraft is expected to be the most significant innovation in civil aviation since the introduction of helicopters in the 1940s. This ruling provides the pilot training companies broad interpretation in development of pilot certification. A most notable point is nearly all eVTOL are single seat for the pilot which means the role of instructor inside the cockpit for training is no longer an option. Another notable point is operating characteristics of an eVTOL are much easier and completely unlike a helicopter or airplane and as a result there is not a rational or requirement to learn to operate either before. The last key difference is the amount of pilots forecast to be needed is unprecedented with estimates discussed between 60,000 to 200,000 by 2030. Those three crucial differences position the training discussion around advanced VR (virtual reality) and advanced simulator training as the path for an eVTOL pilot to take his/her first flight solo with an instructor in a remote location. As a result of that type of training curriculum, the training may very likely occur distributed and learned remotely. The job specifications change also as the schedule is more akin to an Uber driver with the aircraft returning to where it started at the beginning of the day unlike a commercial airline pilot which goes out for the week. This brings an entire new generation of pilots forward from previous all walks of life. A mom or dad could get their kids on the school bus and be back to greet them when they get off after completing a 6 hour shift piloting an eVTOL. A parent could also pilot part time after work or on weekends, creating a hybrid pilot workforce. Having flown in two eVTOL simulators I can attest to the experience as being incredibly intuitive and natural. This link from CAE shows a video of an eVTOL landing and taking off from a Vertiport depicted in a city which is good idea what a Vertiport is all about. https://www.cae.com/civil-aviation/aviation-training/advanced-air-mobility
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