eVTOL Certification: Who Are The Leaders?

Volocopter is aiming for EASA SC-VTOL type certification for its two-seat VoloCity by the end of 2022. The German startup is the first eVTOL developer to receive its design organization approval from EASA, a key step toward certification. The production organization approval is in progress through a strategic partner and the air operator certificate to begin air taxi service is also in progress, says Volocopter. The company plans to begin air taxi service in 2023 and has named Singapore and Paris as locations.

EHang’s autonomous two-seat EH216 autonomous air vehicle has been in flight testing since early 2018, but its application for type certification by the Civil Aviation Administration of China was formally submitted in December 2020 and accepted in January. EHang does not know how long the process will take but is hoping for certification by 2022. The Chinese startup plans to operate the EH216 on its own air taxi service and has launched the “100 routes” initiative to develop trial services in China.

Joby is planning for FAA Part 23 certification of its piloted four-passenger S4 tiltprop eVTOL by the end of 2023. The startup is also aiming to obtain a Part 135 air operator’s certificate by mid-2022 so that it can be ready to launch aerial ride-sharing service in U.S. cities in 2024. Joby has built two full-scale prototypes and plans to fly its first type-design-representative aircraft in the first half of 2022.

After announcing its first orders and raising an additional $368 million in private funding, Beta plans to begin deliveries of its Alia eVTOL in 2024. The startup has built two engineering prototypes and completed initial fixed-wing flight testing. The Alia can carry 1,500 lb. of cargo or six people. UPS Flight Forward has rights to order 150 Alias as feeder freighters. Blade Urban Air Mobility has ordered an initial five Alias for use as air taxis, plus an option for up to 20 more.

Archer plans to fly a demonstrator for its eVTOL air taxi this year and is aiming for FAA certification of the full-size piloted four-passenger aircraft in 2024. The Maker demonstrator, unveiled on June 10, is a two-seat prototype of the full-scale eVTOL. Archer plans to begin its own air taxi services in 2024 in Los Angeles and Miami, and United Airlines has ordered 100 eVTOLs for delivery beginning in 2024.

Lilium plans to begin flight testing of its Lilium Jet seven-seat eVTOL regional air taxi in 2022, having agreed on the certification basis with EASA at the end of 2020. The German startup is aiming for SC-VTOL type certification in 2024 along with FAA validation under Part 23 rules. Lilium plans to begin commercial service by the end of 2024 with a single aircraft and to start network operations in 2025.

Vertical Aerospace is aiming for type certification of its VA-X4 eVTOL with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and EASA in 2024, with deliveries to begin that same year. First flight of the prototype VA-X4 is planned for 2021, and Vertical is anticipating its design-organization approval in 2022 and production-organization approval in 2023. Service demonstrations are planned for 2024 in Paris.

Spun off from Karem Aircraft and backed by South Korea’s Hanwha Systems, Overair is aiming for FAA type certification of the Butterfly optimum-speed tiltrotor eVTOL in 2025. The company has flown subscale models and plans to demonstrate a full-scale version of the propulsion system this summer in a flight-like environment. Hanwha aims to begin pilot service with the piloted four-passenger eVTOL in South Korea in 2025.

Embraer spinoff Eve plans to begin eVTOL air taxi deliveries in 2026 and has secured orders for 200 from UK/U.S. helicopter operator Halo Aviation and up to 50 from Brazil’s Helisul Aviation. A one-third-scale unmanned model (pictured) flew in October at Embraer’s Gavaio Peixoto, Brazil, plant. A full-scale demonstrator is to fly this year. Eve is aiming for Brazilian ANAC certification with FAA and EASA validation.

Jaunt Air Mobility is targeting 2026 for the start of urban air taxi services using its Journey eVTOL, assuming it can secure strategic investors to set up operations in Canada. Swiss startup Dufour Aerospace also is aiming to bring its AEro 3 tiltwing eVTOL to market by 2026. Kitty Hawk/Boeing joint venture Wisk is expected to unveil its sixth-generation vehicle this year but has not given a target date for FAA certification of its self-flying air taxi. South Korean automaker Hyundai plans to enter the urban air mobility market in 2028, having unveiled its S-A1 eVTOL concept vehicle in 2020.