Will Accelerate Certification Of Electric And Hydrogen-Electric Powertrains

ZeroAvia announced it has appointed Billy Nolen to a role as Senior Strategy and Regulatory Advisor for the company. He has extensive experience in aviation as an airline pilot and executive and is a former FAA Administrator and recognized aviation safety expert.

Mr. Nolen will lead the ZeroAvia team in accelerating the company’s drive to certify its 600 kW electric propulsion system and its full-hydrogen powertrain. The company recently announced it had reached a significant regulatory landmark with the issuance of as FAA G-1 Issue Paper for the 600 kW electric system. It is also working toward certification of its full hydrogen-electric powertrain with the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority or CAA.

Nolen was with American Airlines for over twenty-five years as a pilot on both narrowbody and widebody aircraft. He then moved into safety roles at American, Qantas, and WestJet before joining the FAA first as associate administrator for safety and then acting administrator.

After leaving the FAA in 2023 he was the Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer for Archer Aviation where he will continue in that role, dividing his time between the two innovative aerospace companies in the scale-up phase.

Nolen said, “We are on the cusp of a shift towards alternative propulsion systems and new aircraft modalities that is going to be the most exciting time in aviation since the dawning of the jet age. I could not be more thrilled to be joining one of the most standout pioneers and look forward to helping the team make history by obtaining the company’s first type certificates.”

Val Miftakhov, Founder and CEO of ZeroAvia, said, “Billy’s expertise on safety and the regulatory landscape will be another big advantage for ZeroAvia as we seek to certify our first engine and enter into service.

 “We are seeing great traction with the regulators who understand that this is a global race to deliver the aircraft propulsion systems of the future, and that safely certifying these technologies at pace creates a huge industrial opportunity. We’re excited to leverage Billy’s experience in this direction.”

FMI:  zeroavia.com/