The FAA had accepted Moller International’s application for Experimental Airworthiness Certification of the M400 Skycar.
With a planned October 2011 demonstration flight, Moller International retained a flight test consultant to complete and submit an application for an Experimental Airworthiness Certificate to the FAA for the M400 Skycar volantor. The Experimental Airworthiness Certificate is required by the FAA to operate the manned and untethered Skycar in United States airspace, and is the last step in federal regulatory requirements prior to the start of flight test.
Typically, the Experimental certificate signals the beginning of flight test for an air vehicle, and is the first step in the research and development process leading to aircraft Type Certification. The application was submitted to the FAA on June 21. A flight test plan is currently being prepared by the consultant in accordance with FAA guidelines for experimental aircraft, and is expected to be completed by the end of July, according to company officials.
Moller International is in the process of installing more powerful versions of its Rotapower engines in the M400 Skycar in preparation for the flight demonstration scheduled for October.