EUROCAE has opened a consultation on new guidance (ED-342) on using simulation in handling qualities certification of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
The standards organisation’s working group on VTOL (WG-112) will develop the appropriate industry standards necessary as Acceptable Means of Compliance to support the EASA Special Condition on VTOL aircraft.
ED-342 has concluded the peer review stage of the process and was approved by the WG-112 on 13 March following online voting and direct communication through members.
The purpose of the draft document is to provide guidance material to present a compliance demonstration approach for the use of advanced simulation, specifically for handling qualities verification. The intent is to reduce the risk, plus time and cost burden of flight test activities for VTOL aircraft, by enabling certain scenarios (outside normal envelopes, atmospheric disturbances, failure conditions) to be demonstrated in the simulator. The draft document addresses development criteria for the simulators themselves and presents a minimum set of requirements for such simulation tools.
The draft is published on the EUROCAE Workspace, which includes a comment form. Non-members of EUROCAE can register and click on “Access only to Open Consultation”. Responses are invited by 10 April, 2026.
For more information
Image: Representatives from WG-112 (EUROCAE)