Outlines Requirements For Commercial Operations

Vertical Aerospace, a developer of electric aircraft based in Bristol, England, voiced its support for the UK CAA – Civil Aviation Authority – publication of a Policy Consultation that lays out the regulatory framework for commercial eVTOL aircraft operations planned for launch in 2028.

The consultation aligns with Vertical’s timeline for certification and market entry and represents a pivotal moment for the UK’s advanced air mobility segment to enable the first eVTOL services by 2028.

The policy document defines regulatory requirements for commercial eVTOL operations including pilot licensing, flight operations, vertiport infrastructure, and aircraft airworthiness. Significantly, it applies the SC-VTOL standards for type certification. These are the high-safety certification standards developed by the EASA European Union Aviation Safety Agency and are equivalent to those that are applicable to commercial airliners.

The alignment between the CAA document and EASA enables a globally acknowledged and fully exportable certification process.

The CAA’s policies draw on existing aviation regulatory frameworks wherever possible, and it sets out safety as the top priority while also covering pilot training, airspace management, and maintenance. This strategy provides European manufacturers, investors, and operators with predictability and confidence. It also ensures that the new eVTOL services will be integrated efficiently and safely into the UK’s established aviation system and also be compatible with international frameworks.

Trevor Woods, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Vertical Aerospace said, “Clear and consistent regulation is critical to Vertical’s industrial scale-up and the VX4’s safe entry-into-service. The UK’s rigorous yet progressive approach provides a de-risked pathway to certification and operations in 2028, ensuring we can scale globally with confidence while meeting the highest safety standards in the industry. We value the CAA’s collaborative approach – working side-by-side with industry to build a safe, efficient regulatory framework for the certification and operation of our aircraft."

FMI:  vertical-aerospace.com/