EASA has granted urban air mobility OEM Volocopter Design Organization Approval (DOA). Volocopter is the first eVTOL start-up to receive a DOA. The designation will allow Volocopter to expedite its design process. EASA grants DOAs after verifying a company has the correct organizational structure, processes, resources, and employee expertise in place to launch a safe aircraft. Volocopter was approved as a development company and can receive expanded approvals in the future including permission to independently release aircraft changes, issue flight permits for prototypes, and conduct test and approval flights. “The Design Organization Approval is a central step on our way to commercial approval,” said Volocopter CEO Florian Reuter.
“Delivering the first design organization approval with the VTOL development scope is a milestone for the whole industry,” said EASA executive director Patrick Ky. “We are excited about the successful cooperation and that our security standards are now an integral part of the emerging air taxi market.” Last year EASA released the first published standards for eVTOLs. More than 200 separate eVTOL designs are currently in development worldwide.