UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issues its first eVTOL Design Organisation Approval to VerticalAerospace (Vertical), underlining regulatory confidenceVertical submits its certification basis proposal to the CAA for its VX4 aircraft, with technicalfamiliarisations to follow shortlyJapan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) announces acceptance of VX4 validation programme; success willallow the aircraft to be operated in JapanVertical has now formally commenced its certification journey with four aviation regulators in the UK,Europe, USA and JapanLondon, UK; New York, USA – March 2023 Vertical Aerospace (Vertical) [NYSE: EVTL], a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering zero-emissions aviation, today announces further progress on its path to certification for the VX4, including securing the first ever Design Organisation Approval (DOA) issued to an eVTOL manufacturer by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.Design Organisation ApprovalUK and European aerospace companies cannot hold a Type Certificate without being granted a DOA. TheDOA authorises Vertical to conduct design activities and issue design approvals within the DOA’s scopeof approval. As an approved Design Organisation, Vertical will have increasing authority and privileges aswe progress through the design and certification programme of the VX4. This approval means the CAA issatisfied that Vertical can design a safe and reliable aircraft and aviation-related products to the highest standards. This is expected to streamline the steps towards obtaining Type Certification.The process for achieving DOA involved a rigorous assessment of Vertical’s procedures, its quality management system, the competence of its technical workforce, and the necessary facilities and equipment to support the design activities to certify the VX4 aircraft.Certification progressEarlier this month, the CAA announced its intention to adopt European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s(EASA) Means of Compliance to SC-VTOL, the standards against which European and now UK manufacturers will design eVTOLs. Vertical continues working closely with the CAA on the TypeCertification of its VX4 aircraft, having recently submitted its certification basis proposal to the regulator.Taken together, this progress provides essential regulatory clarity to Vertical on the requirements for thedevelopment of its VX4 aircraft and further discussions will continue with the CAA in coming months,including robust technical familiarisations. This positions the UK, alongside Europe, as a market with a clear regulatory framework for the design and manufacture of these novel electric aircraft.Japanese validationVertical has also formally commenced its certification efforts in Japan, following the Japan Civil AviationBureau’s (JCAB) acceptance of the VX4’s validation programme. Successful validation of the VX4’s TypeCertificate will allow the aircraft to be operated in this key market. Vertical is well-positioned in Japan, having partnered with Japan Airlines (JAL), through the placement of up to 100 VX4 pre-orders with Avolon, as well as with Marubeni Corporation for up to 200 VX4 pre-orders. In January 2023, Marubeni made a pre-delivery payment to Vertical for the reservation of its first 25 VX4 aircraft delivery slots out of the 200 VX4 conditional pre-orders. In March 2023, it was announced that Marubeni would be one of the operators of the Advanced Air Mobility showcase for the 2025 Osaka World Expo to fly with Vertical’s VX4.JCAB formally becomes the fourth aviation regulator Vertical is working closely with, including the CAA onType Certification and concurrent validation with EASA and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).Vertical is also in discussions with the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil on the VX4’s future validation programme. The establishment of this broad coalition of regulators will enable Vertical to deliver the VX4 into service internationally, with its airline, helicopter operator, aircraft lessor, business aviation and tourism group customers.Stephen Fitzpatrick, Vertical’s Founder and CEO, said “I am immensely proud that Vertical is the first Britishelectric aircraft company in history to receive a DOA from the UK aviation regulator. This approval is a critical step forward in our mission to decarbonise air travel and bring the UK’s first electric aircraft to market.We are grateful for the CAA’s commitment to advancing sustainable aviation, which allows us to build onthe UK’s proud aerospace tradition.”Paul Harper, Vertical’s Head of Certification, said “Receiving a DOA from the CAA is a huge testamentto our team and the hard work we are doing to ensure safety is at the core of the VX4. It represents asignificant milestone on our journey to Type Certification and we would like to thank the CAA for theirguidance and continued support. I believe that in formally working with JCAB, as the fourth aviation regulator Vertical is committed to certifying with, we are on track for establishing the most detailed understanding of global regulators’ needs and differences for eVTOLs. This will give us a competitive edge in bringing the VX4 into service.”Garry Lathey, Design and Certification Manager at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “We are committed to enabling innovators such as Vertical take their ideas to market in a safe, secure and sustainable way. The granting of Design Organisation Approval to Vertical is an essential step on their journey bringing an eVTOL aircraft into service. It emphasises our commitment to making the UK a key destination for aviation innovators.It’s also vital that this work has an international impact and so in all our efforts we aim to work collaboratively with other regulatory bodies around the world to support the future of eVTOL flight and maintain the high safety standards that the public expects.”Vertical Aerospace’s DOA number is UK.21J.1001.The type of DOA is: Small Aeroplane with eVTOL limitationVertical’s engineering design organisation is now compliant with the UK regulatory requirements ofPart 21 Subpart J.About Vertical AerospaceVertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) is pioneering electric aviation. The Company was founded in 2016 byStephen Fitzpatrick, an established entrepreneur best known as the founder of the OVO Group, a leadingenergy and technology group and Europe’s largest independent energy retailer. Vertical has focused onbuilding the most experienced and senior team in the eVTOL industry, who have previously certified andsupported over 30 different civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems.Vertical’s top-tier partner ecosystem, including Rolls-Royce, Honeywell Aerospace, Leonardo and GKNAerospace, is expected to de-risk operational execution and its pathway to certification allowing for a leancost structure and enabling production at scale. Vertical has a leading pre-order book for more than 1,400aircraft from a diverse global customer base, creating multiple potential near term and actionable routesto market. Customers include airlines, aircraft lessors, helicopter operators and tourism groups, includingAmerican Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Avolon, Bristow, Marubeni, Iberojet and FLYINGGROUP, as well as JapanAirlines (JAL), Gol, Air Greenland, Gozen Holding and AirAsia, through Avolon’s VX4 placements.Vertical’s VX4 eVTOL is projected to be capable of transporting a pilot and up to four passengers, traveling distances of up to 100 miles, and achieving a cruise speed of 150 miles per hour, while producing minimal noise and zero operating emissions.Having been issued with its Permit to Fly from the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority in September 2022, Vertical’s VX4 prototype has successfully undertaken piloted flight tests. Vertical is now in the next stages of the flight test programme, which is expected to reach higher altitudes and speeds, as well as demonstrating the transition from vertical to horizontal flight.
Source link
