Approving third-party services in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) presents a complex and evolving challenge. Current regulations primarily focus on certifying physical aircraft, leaving significant gaps in the approval process for decentralized ground-based digital services. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has yet to establish a comprehensive framework for approving Third-Party Service Providers (TSPs), highlighting the urgent need to develop new standards that ensure safety, reliability, and operational efficiency in AAM.
Lack of Existing Standards
Today’s aviation regulations are designed around certifying physical aircraft under frameworks like 14 CFR Parts 23, 25, 27, etc. These standards do not account for distributed unmanned aircraft systems or ground-based third-party services. This absence of regulatory clarity poses a significant challenge for companies like SkyGrid, which are pioneering secure, high-assurance TSPs to support manned and unmanned aircraft operations.
SkyGrid recognizes the evolving nature of regulatory frameworks and appreciates the FAA’s ongoing efforts to address the unique challenges of approving TSPs. We are actively collaborating with the FAA to validate, verify, and approve our system, contributing to a shared goal of ensuring safety and reliability in AAM. This collaborative and iterative process aims to develop an approval framework that encompasses the unique characteristics of digital services, cloud deployments, and the necessary cybersecurity and safety standards for AAM.
Path to Regulatory Approval
The path to regulatory approval for SkyGrid’s third-party services is fundamental to maintaining the safety and security of AAM operations. Passenger-carrying eVTOLs and autonomous cargo flights introduce high-risk, safety-of-life operations, making it essential that the digital services supporting them meet stringent safety standards.
SkyGrid’s entry-into-service (EIS) TSP system focuses on delivering high-integrity, ground-based data—such as Ground-Based Traffic Surveillance (GBTS), weather data, terrain data, and NOTAMs—that provide operators and remote pilots with enhanced situational awareness. These services reduce onboard system complexity and offer a comprehensive, real-time view of the airspace, enabling safer and more efficient operations.
Given that SkyGrid’s system is a combined cloud-based and on-prem solution—an architecture not previously approved by the FAA—the approval process requires a multifaceted approach. This includes robust cybersecurity assessments, operational safety case analyses, and adherence to existing aviation standards where applicable. As the FAA develops its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Part 146, which is expected to outline a framework for approving Automated Data Service Providers (ADSPs), SkyGrid remains committed to aligning its system with emerging regulatory expectations.
In the interim, SkyGrid is exploring alternate compliance approaches, such as leveraging the FAA’s Near-Term Approval Process (NTAP), which has previously been used to approve UAS Service Suppliers. This approach enables us to meet the immediate needs of the AAM industry while ensuring that safety and reliability remain paramount.
Building a Global Framework: The Need for Consistency
SkyGrid’s vision extends beyond the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS); our services are designed for global use. This means navigating regulatory approval from authorities such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in Australia, Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in the United Arab Emirates, and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia.
To streamline international approvals, organizations like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) play a critical role in harmonizing standards across jurisdictions. Establishing a consistent global approach to TSP approval will be essential to ensuring safe, scalable, and interoperable AAM operations worldwide.
Collaborating for a Safer AAM Future
The path to TSP approval is more than just a regulatory hurdle; it’s a collaborative opportunity for the industry to define how ground-based services will safely and efficiently integrate into the evolving AAM ecosystem. SkyGrid is dedicated to advancing this vision, working alongside regulators, industry partners, and international bodies to establish clear, comprehensive standards that safeguard AAM operations.
As we continue this journey, we invite stakeholders across the AAM ecosystem to advocate for the development of robust regulatory frameworks. Together, we can pave the way for a future where third-party services play a vital role in enabling safe, autonomous flight operations on a global scale.
