ePlane Secures DGCA Approval for Type Certification

20 Jan 2025 CW Team

The DGCA had earlier issued airworthiness criteria for type certification of vertical takeoff and landing-capable aircraft (VCA) and specified requirements for vertiports (terminals) used by these aircraft.

Prof. Satya Chakravarthy, the founder of ePlane Company, shared that the company has achieved several milestones, including acceptance for testing eVTOLs in India and testing propellers for the first time in the Indo-Pacific region. He stated that the startup aims to complete its test flights by the end of 2026. He explained that multiple prototypes would be developed, and cumulative flying hours would be logged to demonstrate compliance.

The company plans to offer services such as air ambulances, cargo planes, chartered flights at tourist destinations, and air taxis in major metropolitan areas. Prof. Chakravarthy explained that the aircraft is spacious enough to accommodate an air ambulance with a stretcher that can be wheeled inside. He highlighted the company’s focus on partnerships with hospitals, vertiport builders, charging infrastructure providers, and charter operators. Additionally, collaborations with real estate players for vertiport construction, airports, and logistics providers are in early stages.

Currently, testing is being conducted exclusively in India as the global regulatory framework for eVTOLs is still evolving. Prof. Chakravarthy noted that the Indian market is particularly suited for this technology due to inadequate city infrastructure and higher traffic volumes compared to advanced economies.

He also expressed optimism about the business's viability compared to traditional air ambulances. He pointed out that helicopters face high maintenance and fuel costs, resulting in lower patronage and asset utilisation. He added that the company aims to make services more affordable, aligning with what insurance companies are currently willing to cover.

The electric aircraft developed by the startup ePlane Company has received acceptance for type certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This makes it the first Indian private company to gain approval under the new rules for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft issued in September last year. The DGCA had earlier issued airworthiness criteria for type certification of vertical takeoff and landing-capable aircraft (VCA) and specified requirements for vertiports (terminals) used by these aircraft. Prof. Satya Chakravarthy, the founder of ePlane Company, shared that the company has achieved several milestones, including acceptance for testing eVTOLs in India and testing propellers for the first time in the Indo-Pacific region. He stated that the startup aims to complete its test flights by the end of 2026. He explained that multiple prototypes would be developed, and cumulative flying hours would be logged to demonstrate compliance. The company plans to offer services such as air ambulances, cargo planes, chartered flights at tourist destinations, and air taxis in major metropolitan areas. Prof. Chakravarthy explained that the aircraft is spacious enough to accommodate an air ambulance with a stretcher that can be wheeled inside. He highlighted the company’s focus on partnerships with hospitals, vertiport builders, charging infrastructure providers, and charter operators. Additionally, collaborations with real estate players for vertiport construction, airports, and logistics providers are in early stages. Currently, testing is being conducted exclusively in India as the global regulatory framework for eVTOLs is still evolving. Prof. Chakravarthy noted that the Indian market is particularly suited for this technology due to inadequate city infrastructure and higher traffic volumes compared to advanced economies. He also expressed optimism about the business's viability compared to traditional air ambulances. He pointed out that helicopters face high maintenance and fuel costs, resulting in lower patronage and asset utilisation. He added that the company aims to make services more affordable, aligning with what insurance companies are currently willing to cover.

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