Safety Considerations in Emerging Electric Aircraft Architectures

Abstract

Safety and certification considerations which impact the design of an emerging new class of small, electric aircraft were investigated. Based on an assessment of the different emerging aircraft designs, vehicles were grouped based on lifting and propulsive architecture. Likely certification pathways and the associated airworthiness requirements were investigated. Key hazards were identified, and were classified by severity for each architecture group. The key hazards identified were lithium-polymer battery thermal runaway and energy uncertainty, common mode power system failure, and vehicle automation failure. Mitigation strategies for each identified hazard were identified based on current technology and regulatory requirements. These mitigation strategies were assessed for different vehicle architectures. Aircraft with the ability to controllably glide or autorotate are shown to have lower certification risk.