Limosa has become the first Canadian developer of eVTOL aircraft to start the type certification process with its domestic regulator Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), supported by its aircraft certification consulting partner BAC Aerospace. In doing so, Limosa intends to be the first Canadian company to bring this new type of aircraft to market.

Founded by aeronautical engineer, scientific researcher and entrepreneur Dr Hamid Hamidi, Limosa is developing the LimoConnect all-electric, eight seat vertical and conventional take off and landing (eVTOL + eCTOL) aircraft. In addition to contributing to the electrification of the aviation industry, the unique strength of the LimoConnect lies in its flexibility to adopt different mission capabilities as well as the capability of take off and land conventionally, hence allowing the use of existing airport facilities prior to the future emergence and certification of eVTOL-dedicated vertiport infrastructure.

While the prospect of carbon-free flight and advanced air mobility has attracted considerable attention from both the public and venture capital investment throughout the world, Limosa believes it is the first, and at this time the only, Canadian company to have discussions with the Canadian regulatory authorities (TCCA) on the details and means of compliance for the regulatory design requirements with which this class of aircraft will have to comply within Canada and abroad.

The initial LimoConnect aircraft programme briefing to Transport Canada was recently held and coordinated by BAC Aerospace. The near-term goal is to agree on the G-1 Transport Canada certification basis for this specific aircraft design.

Led by CEO and principal consultant Chris Baczynski, a former TCCA national aircraft certification expert, Transport Canada design approval representative and an elected Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, BAC Aerospace is already engaged in the development and certification of electric aircraft propulsion both in Canada and the US. With over two decades of experience in general aviation, large transport aircraft and rotorcraft type certification, Baczynski is a member of several international technical committees developing eVTOL technologies alongside representatives from Joby, Archer and Wisk. The type certification of LimoConnect under Transport Canada Civil Aviation regulations and the subsequent entry into service is planned for 2028.

Dr Hamidi says: “When developing a new type design, developers must work closely with the regulators from the very beginning in order to set up the certification basis and means of compliance. This is to clear the strategies required as early as possible, as no certification code is available at this time, and other regulators such as FAA and EASA are working in different certification processes. We are very excited by this partnership as BAC Aerospace brings decades of experience in the certification of aircraft as a Canadian design approval firm, and can connect us with the network of representatives and delegates from Transport Canada Civil Aviation.”

“We are already underway in supporting the airworthiness certification of LimoConnect,” adds Baczynski. “By completing the prototype design with certification requirements in mind, Limosa will avoid the risk of expensive major redesign later on. Being a Canadian company, we are well poised to take advantage of the considerable resources of our domestic aerospace sector and the professionalism and experience of our regulator Transport Canada Civil Aviation.”