The age of the flying car is near
PAL-V reaches historic milestone with EASA approval
The long-standing dream of a flying car has taken a significant step toward becoming reality. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a "No Technical Objection" (NTO) to PAL-V, the Dutch company behind the world’s first certified FlyDrive vehicle. This groundbreaking decision confirms that there are no known technical risks preventing full type certification. As a result, the commercial rollout of this pioneering mobility solution is closer than ever.
“This is the first time ever we have issued a No Technical Objection for a FlyDrive vehicle in the Innovative Air Mobility sector,” said Volker Arnsmeier, Senior Project Certification Manager for VTOLs at EASA. “It is a major step toward certifying the PAL-V Liberty, a unique dual-mode vehicle that represents a significant evolution in air and ground transportation.”
A vehicle that redefines mobility
PAL-V, short for Personal Air and Land Vehicle, has been developing the Liberty since 2008. The two-seater vehicle can switch from car to gyrocopter in a matter of minutes, thanks to a sophisticated folding mechanism. In drive mode, it reaches a top speed of 160 km/h, while in flight mode it achieves up to 180 km/h. The maximum flying range is 500 kilometers, and the road range exceeds 1,300 kilometers on a full tank.
The Liberty is powered by two Rotax 912iS engines and is designed for people seeking greater flexibility, efficiency, and autonomy in long-distance travel. The combination of ground and air capabilities makes the PAL-V Liberty a standout in the emerging field of personal air mobility.
CEO and founder Robert Dingemanse emphasized the magnitude of this accomplishment: “This confirms that PAL-V is ready to bring the world’s first certified FlyDrive vehicles to market and transform mobility forever. It’s not just a step forward for our company, but for the entire mobility ecosystem, where integration of road and air is no longer a futuristic concept but an imminent reality.”
Advanced technology in every detail
The Liberty's rotor blades are a crucial component of its engineering success. Developed using advanced composite materials, each set weighs just under 36 kilograms but spans nearly 11 meters when unfolded. The blades deliver 20% more efficiency and significantly lower drag than comparable designs, contributing to improved flight stability and fuel economy. Unlike traditional helicopters, these blades are not powered directly by an engine. Instead, they rely on autorotation—a phenomenon where air moving through the blades generates lift—making them functionally equivalent to fixed wings during flight.
Collaboration with Dutch aerospace research institute NLR
The final development phase of the rotor system was carried out in collaboration with the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR). Henri de Vries, senior scientist at NLR, explained: “We’ve overcome technical challenges and ensured the rotor blades are ready for industrial production. Thanks to a mid-hinge, the blades can be folded down, allowing the vehicle to remain road-legal in terms of length. This engineering feat gives the PAL-V Liberty a design that is truly without precedent.”
Certification process: a tailored approach
Over the past several years, PAL-V has worked closely with EASA to adapt the Certification Specifications for Small Rotorcraft (CS-27) to suit the unique, dual-use characteristics of the Liberty. This involved reviewing and adjusting over 1,500 individual certification requirements, effectively creating a new benchmark for FlyDrive vehicles. The process required extensive testing, documentation, a
PAL-V reaches historic milestone with EASA approval
The long-standing dream of a flying car has taken a significant step toward becoming reality. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a "No Technical Objection" (NTO) to PAL-V, the Dutch company behind the world’s first certified FlyDrive vehicle. This groundbreaking decision confirms that there are no known technical risks preventing full type certification. As a result, the commercial rollout of this pioneering mobility solution is closer than ever.
“This is the first time ever we have issued a No Technical Objection for a FlyDrive vehicle in the Innovative Air Mobility sector,” said Volker Arnsmeier, Senior Project Certification Manager for VTOLs at EASA. “It is a major step toward certifying the PAL-V Liberty, a unique dual-mode vehicle that represents a significant evolution in air and ground transportation.”
A vehicle that redefines mobility
PAL-V, short for Personal Air and Land Vehicle, has been developing the Liberty since 2008. The two-seater vehicle can switch from car to gyrocopter in a matter of minutes, thanks to a sophisticated folding mechanism. In drive mode, it reaches a top speed of 160 km/h, while in flight mode it achieves up to 180 km/h. The maximum flying range is 500 kilometers, and the road range exceeds 1,300 kilometers on a full tank.
The Liberty is powered by two Rotax 912iS engines and is designed for people seeking greater flexibility, efficiency, and autonomy in long-distance travel. The combination of ground and air capabilities makes the PAL-V Liberty a standout in the emerging field of personal air mobility.
CEO and founder Robert Dingemanse emphasized the magnitude of this accomplishment: “This confirms that PAL-V is ready to bring the world’s first certified FlyDrive vehicles to market and transform mobility forever. It’s not just a step forward for our company, but for the entire mobility ecosystem, where integration of road and air is no longer a futuristic concept but an imminent reality.”
Advanced technology in every detail
The Liberty's rotor blades are a crucial component of its engineering success. Developed using advanced composite materials, each set weighs just under 36 kilograms but spans nearly 11 meters when unfolded. The blades deliver 20% more efficiency and significantly lower drag than comparable designs, contributing to improved flight stability and fuel economy. Unlike traditional helicopters, these bla nd validation to ensure the Liberty could safely and legally operate in both road and air environments. This level of regulatory scrutiny positions PAL-V as a global front-runner in the development of innovative mobility solutions.
Poised for production and deployment
Headquartered in Raamsdonksveer, the Netherlands, PAL-V is now the first in its sector to complete all seven phases of EASA's rigorous certification trajectory. This positions the company at the forefront of a growing global movement to find smart, sustainable, and integrated solutions to address urban congestion, climate goals, and shifting mobility demands. With the NTO in hand and regulatory barriers largely cleared, PAL-V is now preparing for industrial production and final flight tests before delivering vehicles to its first customers. The company reports strong interest from private buyers, government agencies, and emergency services seeking fast, direct, and flexible transportation options. A turning point for personal mobility
As the world increasingly looks toward smarter, more integrated modes of transportation, the PAL-V Liberty is poised to redefine how we think about mobility. With one foot on the road and one in the sky, the age of the flying car is no longer a vision of the future—it is rapidly becoming a reality.
