HAV begins Airlander 10 type certification program

Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV, Bedford, U.K.) has announced that it has formally begun the type certification (TC) process for Airlander 10, a composites-intensive helium-filled airship, with the U.K.’s aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Airlander 10 is designed to make possible new, ultra-low emissions air services around the world.

TC is a rigorous process that assures a safe aircraft design. Its achievement will enable the commercialization of a fleet of Airlander 10 aircraft in mobility, logistics, and tourism and leisure roles. Later planned developments include the introduction of electric motors, leading to a zero-emission version of the aircraft by 2030.

This is expected to be the first approval for a U.K.-derived large aircraft since 1979. Work is planned to be carried out concurrently with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enable global deliveries.

“Airlander makes new, sustainable aviation services possible at scale — it’s a large aircraft designed to deliver services from large global fleets,” says Tom Grundy CEO of HAV. “Alongside our production program, applying for type certification is a key milestone in our journey toward this goal.

Following the application, the CAA and HAV will agree on a plan for the TC process, which will identify how HAV will prove Airlander 10 achieves the requirements set out in the basis for certification, a step known as the means of compliance. With the CAA’s involvement, HAV will develop extensive documentation and conduct a range of planned tests. As for previous TC processes, certification will use a range of analysis, simulation, laboratory, ground and flight tests.

Once TC is received, HAV says it will formally begin delivery of current reserved orders for Airlander 10 — in the amount of £1 billion — and up to 24 aircraft/year from a new production line to be established in South Yorkshire. Initial reservations include 20 aircraft for regional passenger mobility services for launch airline customer Air Nostrum Group, and aircraft destined for use in the tourism and travel sector. Earlier in February 2024, Grands Espaces, a tourism company, reserved an Airlander 10 aircraft for unique and sustainable exploration experiences.