The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has formally issued a ‘No Technical Objection’ to PAL-V, a Dutch innovator in the emerging FlyDrive vehicle segment.
This milestone marks a significant step toward full flight certification of the PAL-V Liberty, believed to be the world’s first commercially developed vehicle designed to operate both on roads and in the air.
EASA’s Senior Project Certification Manager for VTOL, Volker Arnsmeier, stated, “This is the first time ever we have issued a No Technical Objection (NTO) for a FlyDrive vehicle in the Innovative Air Mobility sector—a major step toward certifying the PAL-V Liberty.”
Robert Dingemanse, Founder & CEO of PAL-V, added, “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.” Dingemanse emphasises, “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.”
In development since 2008, the PAL-V Liberty is engineered to seamlessly transition between driving and flying modes, delivering an integrated door-to-door travel solution for long-distance journeys. The vehicle secured European road approval in 2020, clearing a major regulatory hurdle on the ground.
EASA’s latest decision validates PAL-V’s comprehensive compliance demonstration plan—a critical element of the type certification process for aircraft. The ‘No Technical Objection’ confirms that the agency has identified no technical barriers that would impede final flight certification, bringing PAL-V closer to market readiness.
