Authority
UK CAA
Applicability
UK type certification of VTOL aircraft under the UK Part-21 framework. The UK CAA adopted EASA SC-VTOL and associated Means of Compliance through ORS9 Decision No.37.
Status
Current
Plain-English Explainer
The UK CAA adopted EASA Special Condition VTOL as the UK certification basis for new VTOL aircraft through ORS9 Decision No.37 on 14 March 2024.
This gives UK applicants a dedicated aircraft-level certification framework for novel VTOL designs rather than forcing those aircraft into conventional aeroplane or rotorcraft specifications that were not written for them.
The UK framework intentionally aligns closely with EASA SC-VTOL and its associated Means of Compliance. CAP3002 confirms that SC-VTOL forms the basis of the UK CAA's type-certification approach for VTOL aircraft.
