UK CAA design organization approval progresses ZeroAvia ZA600 powertrain

Source | ZeroAvia

ZeroAvia (Kemble, U.K. and Everett, Wash., U.S.) has been awarded design organization approval (DOA) by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), a critical milestone on its path to certifying a hydrogen-electric engine intended for Part 23 aircraft. The accreditation confirms that the CAA is satisfied that ZeroAvia has the technical expertise, facilities and capabilities to design safe and reliable products, and is prepared to comply with stringent requirements for certification.

ZeroAvia reports that, through this award, it has “become the first company globally seeking to certify a hydrogen-electric aviation powertrain to receive DOA accreditation from a national regulator.” The award confirms that a manufacturer is qualified to design and hold a type certificate (TC) for propulsion systems developed under commercial aviation regulations. These requirements are intended to ensure safe global market entry and have been adopted by other regulatory authorities, including the EASA and the FAA. 

Securing DOA represents an essential enabler toward the company’s goal of securing a type certificate for the ZA600 — a 600-kilowatt powertrain which uses fuel cells to generate electricity from hydrogen.

Achieving DOA status follows two other significant regulatory milestones for ZeroAvia in 2025, with the U.S. FAA issuing both G-1 and P-1 issue papers in relation to ZeroAvia’s bid to certify its 600-kilowatt electric propulsion system (EPS). The 600-kilowatt EPS is made up of the company’s motor and power electronics technology and is both an integral part of the overall ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain, and a power-source agnostic electric engine in its own right, with a range of applications. 

Earlier this year, ZeroAvia also confirmed that RVL Aviation, an airline in Derby, intends to be the first operator to fly the ZA600 engine in a Cessna Caravan 208b on cargo routes in the U.K. The company is also working to scale the hydrogen-electric propulsion technology for larger segments of aircraft and has secured thousands of engine pre-orders with airlines across the world. 

The company has established a range of test facilities at its U.K. R&D and flight testing center at Cotswold Airport, enabling an efficient testing program to satisfy the means of compliance that it is in the process of agreeing with the CAA. After rigorous inspection of the facilities, interviews with ZeroAvia’s team and audit of its process, the CAA was able to award the DOA.