EASA issues “no technical objection” for flying car
April 3, 2025
Dutch company PAL-V, a frontrunner in the race to develop the world’s first flying car, has cleared an essential certification milestone after the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued “No Technical Objection” (NTO) to the vehicle.
PAL-V Liberty, as the vehicle is called received certification for road use in 2020 and the NTO now paves the way for the Dutch company to certify and commercialise the world’s first FlyDrive vehicle.
Milestone achievement
Volker Arnsmeier, EASA’s senior project certification manager for VTOL, explained “this is the first time [the agency] has ever issued a NTO for a FlyDrive vehicle in the Innovative Air Mobility sector – a major step toward certifying the PAL-V Liberty.”
Under development since 2008, the two-person vehicle drives on the road, but can quickly be converted into an aircraft and fly using proven gyrocopter technology. According to PAL-V, “by integrating air and road travel into one vehicle, it offers very safe door-to-door, long distance mobility.”
Paving the way for certification
PAL-V Liberty, which has a range of 500km is the first company in the FlyDrive sector to reach the last of seven EASA certification phases. While other companies have attempted to develop flying car concepts, none have achieved a credible path to certification.
Commenting on EASA’s NTO, Robert Dingemanse, founder and CEO of PAL-V stated, “this milestone confirms that PAL-V is ready to bring the world’s first certified FlyDrive vehicles to market, transforming mobility forever. Bringing our vehicles to market as quickly as possible has always been our goal.
“But, when it comes to safety, there are no shortcuts. Our long-term endurance and vision ensure the maturity and sustainability of our business and the viability of the FlyDrive concept.”
