The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) this week awarded design organization approval (DOA) to electric propulsion system developer Evolito, clearing the way for it to start the type certification process. The UK company earned its DOA barely two years after being spun off from automotive power systems specialist YASA in July 2021 to exploit new opportunities in the aviation sector.
Evolito is developing integrated electric propulsion systems that will have a power range of 100 to 200 kilowatts, incorporating motors, controllers, and cooling systems that pump oil around the housing to reduce the temperature of the power electronics and stators. These are based on the axial-flux motor technology developed by YASA that it says will deliver high power density within the space and weight confines of new electric aircraft. Over the past two years, Evolito has adapted this technology to use new advanced materials better suited to aviation applications.
Evolito is already working with three or four undisclosed customers, mainly on new eVTOL aircraft programs, according to chief operating officer Gareth Morris. It is also willing to supply individual units, such as motors, to companies that want to develop their own propulsion systems.
Evolito’s D250, D500, and D1500 axial flux motors offer varied levels of torque and speed to fit the propulsion needs of various VTOL and fixed-wing aircraft. UK-based Cranfield Aerospace Systems intends to use its motors as part of the hydrogen propulsion system it is developing to convert Britten-Norman Islander utility aircraft.
First Type Certification Could Come in 2026
Evolito plans to file its first type certification application during 2024 and aims to complete this in around two years, with EASA, FAA, and other foreign approvals expected to stem from the CAA process under the UK’s bilateral agreements. It believes its electric propulsion system is the first to secure a DOA from the country’s aviation safety agency.
Morris told AIN that even customers that plan to use its equipment as part of their own propulsion systems have sought the assurance of knowing that this is being supplied by an approved design organization. Evolito announced the approval a week after Rolls-Royce announced its intention to sell off its Electrical division, which is developing an electric propulsion system for Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 eVTOL aircraft. Morris, who formerly led Collins Aerospace’s work on more electric aircraft, said it is too early to comment on what opportunities the aircraft engine maker’s surprising strategic shift might open up for other companies.
“Securing Civil Aviation Authority DOA approval is an important step in supporting our customers' aircraft certification activities and for applying for type certificates for our electric propulsion systems,” said Evolito CEO Chris Harris. “Holding our own type certificates will allow aircraft customers to integrate our component off-the-shelf electric propulsion solutions, saving aircraft manufacturers time and money and enabling them to focus on the aircraft certification.”
