LIFT Aircraft Launches FAA Certification for HEXA Commercial eVTOL

This article is based on an official press release from LIFT Aircraft.

LIFT Aircraft Initiates FAA Certification, Targeting Commercial Air Taxi Operations

LIFT Aircraft has officially initiated the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type Certification process for the “Certified Edition” of its HEXA electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. According to a company press release, this move marks a significant strategic pivot for the Austin-based manufacturers, transitioning from operating solely under “Ultralight” regulations to seeking full commercial approval for broader applications.

The certification effort focuses on the HEXA-C model, which is intended for commercial air taxi services and autonomous operations. LIFT Aircraft confirmed that the aircraft will be certified under the FAA’s Part 21.17(b) special class for powered-lift aircraft. This is the same rigorous regulatory pathway currently being navigated by major industry competitors such as Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation.

The “Three-Tier” Product Strategy

Unlike many competitors who aim for a single, high-performance aircraft launch, LIFT Aircraft has outlined a distinct “three-tier” product roadmap. This strategy allows the company to utilize substantially similar aircraft platforms across different regulatory environments, generating operational data and revenue prior to full certification.

According to the company’s announcement, the three versions of the HEXA platform include:

• HEXA-U (Ultralight): Regulated under 14 CFR Part 103, this version requires no pilot license and is currently active. It is limited to recreational use in uncongested, rural areas with a flight time of approximately 15 minutes.
• HEXA-S (Sport): Currently in development, this model targets the proposed MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certificates) rule. It would require a Sport Pilot License and allow for personal sport flying in congested or urban environments.
• HEXA-C (Certified): The subject of the recent FAA initiation, this model is designed for commercial air taxi and cargo use under Part 21.17(b). It features upgraded avionics, an approximate 40-minute flight time, and capabilities for fully autonomous flight.

“From day one, our strategy has been to launch first in the recreational market… This approach drastically reduces development risk and cost compared to competitors attempting to certify unproven aircraft from scratch.”

, LIFT Aircraft Press Statement

Technical Specifications and Safety

The HEXA platform utilizes a distributed electric propulsion system featuring 18 independent motors and propellers. LIFT Aircraft states that the design offers significant redundancy, capable of flying safely even with up to six motors disabled. For emergency contingencies, the aircraft is equipped with a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute system.

The standard design includes floats, enabling amphibious operations, a critical safety feature for the company’s current over-water experiential flights. While the current Ultralight and Sport versions utilize semi-autonomous control via a joystick or iPad, the Certified Edition is being developed to support fully autonomous operations.

AirPro News Analysis: The “Fly-Before-Certify” Approach

LIFT Aircraft’s strategy diverges sharply from the “all-or-nothing” capital-intensive models seen elsewhere in the eVTOL sector. By utilizing the Part 103 Ultralight rule, LIFT has been able to fly paying customers in controlled environments, such as their vertiport in Austin, Texas.

We observe that this approach provides two distinct advantages. First, it generates immediate revenue, a rarity in a sector defined by high cash burn rates. Second, it allows the company to accumulate thousands of real-world flight logs. While competitors rely heavily on simulations and prototype testing, LIFT is entering the certification phase with a dataset derived from active operations. This “consumerizing flying” approach, as described by CEO Matt Chasen, attempts to validate engineering reliability before facing the scrutiny of Part 21.17(b) certification.

Future Outlook

With the initiation of the certification process, LIFT Aircraft enters a new phase of regulatory testing. The transition from “joyrides” to practical transportation will require meeting the FAA’s stringent safety standards for powered-lift aircraft. If successful, the HEXA-C will be legally cleared for commercial transport and flight within the national airspace system, moving beyond the geographic restrictions that currently limit the Ultralight fleet.

Sources

• LIFT Aircraft (via Vertical Mag)