By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), said Tuesday that it has changed its course of action in approving future pilots for electric vertical takeoff-and landing aircraft (eVTOL). However, it does not anticipate it will delay certifications or operational approvals.

The future of urban mobility could come from the eVTOL-equipped aircraft. Many eVTOL companies, which are low-altitude urban mobility aircrafts, have been made public.

According to the FAA, it stated in a statement that they would follow “a predictable framework that better accommodates the requirement of training and certifying pilots operating these unique aircraft.” FAA said that flexibility would eliminate the need of special conditions and exceptions.

FAA stated that it is changing its regulatory approach due to the fact that regulations for helicopters and traditional planes did not consider how pilots would be trained to fly powered-lift aircraft. Pilots take off in helicopter mode and transition to airplane mode to fly, then return to helicopter mode to land.

Pete Bunce (head of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association) stated in an email that the FAA’s decision was “in our mind detrimental to safety” and would increase the FAA’s workload dramatically. For many reasons, this is a bad policy.”

Major airlines and other big companies have backed many eVTOL startup firms. Toyota Motor (NYSE:) Corp owns a share in Joby Aviation. Archer Aviation and United Airlines are backers, and Vertical Aerospace – a Bristol-UK-based manufacturing company – is backed investors like Honeywell International Inc (NASDAQ) and American Airlines (NASDAQ) Group Inc.

Joby plans to launch its airborne ridesharing service by 2024.

FAA claimed that the process for certification of aircrafts remains unchanged. Current applicants can continue to develop their aircraft. The changes made in the regulatory process should not hinder them.

Air Current had reported this shift earlier.

Congress was briefed by the FAA on April 29. The Transportation Department’s Office of Inspector General stated in March that they would examine the foundation for eVTOL certification.