Certification Tracker

Real-time certification status across FAA, EASA, UK CAA, CAAC, and JCAB regulatory frameworks.

INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION PIPELINE

Type Certified
Full airworthiness certificate issued. Commercial operations permitted.
G-4 Issued
Stage 4 FAA Certification Basis issued. Compliance demonstration underway.
G-3 Issued
—
Stage 3 FAA Certification Basis — means of compliance agreed with authority.
G-2 Issued
—
Stage 2 — certification basis confirmed and documented by regulator.
G-1 Issued
Stage 1 FAA Special Conditions issued. Formal certification process begun.
Flight Testing
Prototype
Physical prototype built and undergoing ground/initial flight tests.
Concept
—
Design phase. No aircraft built or flying.

INDIVIDUAL AIRCRAFT PROGRESS

EHang EH216-SEHang
Type Certified100%
CAAC· Target: Achieved Oct 2023
Joby S4Joby Aviation
G-4 Issued86%
FAA· Target: 2025
Beta ALIABeta Technologies
G-1 Issued43%
FAA· Target: 2025
SkyDrive SD-05SkyDrive
G-1 Issued43%
JCAB· Target: 2025
Archer MidnightArcher Aviation
Flight Testing29%
FAA· Target: 2025
Vertical VX4Vertical Aerospace
Flight Testing29%
EASACAA· Target: 2026
Wisk Generation 6Wisk Aero
Flight Testing29%
FAA· Target: 2026
Volocopter VoloCityVolocopter
Flight Testing29%
EASA· Target: 2025
CityAirbus NextGenAirbus UpNext / CityAirbus
Flight Testing29%
EASA· Target: 2026
AutoFlight Prosperity IAutoFlight
Flight Testing29%
EASACAAC· Target: 2027
Lilium Pioneer EditionLilium
Prototype14%
EASA· Target: 2026
Supernal S-A2Supernal
Prototype14%
FAA· Target: 2028

Regulator Overview

FAA
USA · Federal Aviation Administration

Uses a staged G-1 through G-4 certification basis process specific to novel aircraft. eVTOL-specific SFAR (Special Federal Aviation Regulation) published 2024.

Joby S4Archer MidnightWisk Generation 6Beta ALIASupernal S-A2
EASA
Europe · European Union Aviation Safety Agency

Issues SC-VTOL (Special Condition for VTOL) for eVTOL. Three 'enhanced' and 'basic' categories based on passenger count and operational profile.

Vertical VX4Volocopter VoloCityLilium Pioneer EditionCityAirbus NextGenAutoFlight Prosperity I
CAA
UK · Civil Aviation Authority

Post-Brexit UK regulator. Broadly aligns with EASA but has its own type certification process. Strategic target: be the world's safest and most progressive aviation regulator.

Vertical VX4
CAAC
China · Civil Aviation Administration of China

Issued world's first eVTOL type certificate to EHang EH216-S in October 2023. Moving rapidly to support domestic UAM industry.

EHang EH216-SAutoFlight Prosperity I
JCAB
Japan · Japan Civil Aviation Bureau

Active eVTOL framework, strong government backing for UAM in Japan. SkyDrive progressing toward type certificate.

SkyDrive SD-05