4-Apr-2023 Source: BAC Aerospace
Limosa Inc., supported by its aircraft certification consulting partner BAC Aerospace Inc., has become the first Canadian developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) to start the type certification process with its domestic regulator, Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA). By doing so, Limosa intends to be the first Canadian company to bring this new and innovative type of aircraft to market.
Founded by Dr. Hamid Hamidi, an experienced aeronautical engineer, scientific researcher, and entrepreneur, Limosa Inc. aims to revolutionize air taxi transportation by developing the LimoConnect, an all-electric, 8-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 (e.g. air taxi business sector) has attracted considerable attention from both the public and venture capital investment throughout the world, Limosa 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 to the new regulatory design requirements to which this class of aircraft will have to comply with in Canada and abroad.
The initial LimoConnect aircraft program briefing to Transport Canada was recently held and was coordinated by BAC Aerospace, Limosa’s aircraft certification partner. The near-term goal is to agree on the G-1 Transport Canada certification basis for this specific aircraft design.
Led by 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 in the USA. With over two decades of experience in general aviation, large transport aircraft, and rotorcraft Type Certification, Mr. 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.
Limosa Inc. founder and CEO Dr. Hamid Hamidi says: “eVTOLs are brand new type aerospace vehicles and are being developed to open up a new mode of green transportation for civilians. When developing a new type design, developers must work closely with the regulators since the very beginning in order to setup 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 certification of aircrafts 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,” said Chris Baczynski, CEO and Principal Consultant of BAC Aerospace. “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, Limosa is well poised to take advantage of considerable resources of our domestic aerospace sector and the professionalism and experience of our regulator, Transport Canada Civil Aviation.”