Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

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Charles Alcock

The FAA has issued experimental airworthiness certification for the Air One range of piloted and uncrewed eVTOL aircraft. On September 3, the manufacturer announced the approval, saying that this clears the way for&nbsp;Air to expand flight testing at its facility near West Palm Beach in Florida.
The <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-07-03/air-one-evtol-poised-both-uncrewed-and-private-pilot-roles">Air One design</a> has been revised and now features folding wings and arms that support its eight electric motors. According to the Israel-based start-up, these changes are intended to make transportation and storage easier as the aircraft can now fit into a 20-foot container or be pulled by a standard trailer by a large SUV or truck.
Air now intends to offer the vehicle as a two-seater for personal transportation or as an uncrewed platform that could be used for utility roles, such as logistics flights. It will offer 70 cubic feet of space for cargo, a payload of 550 pounds, a flight endurance of one hour, and a top speed of 135 knots.
According to Air, its path to certification has been helped by the FAA’s recent MOSAIC ruling that updated requirements for designs in the light sports aircraft (LSA) category. The company, which recently raised $23 million in a Series A funding round, is aiming to deliver 15 of the uncrewed Air One freighters over the next 12 months. It said that it holds 2,500 “pre-orders” for the piloted version of the aircraft.
“The experimental airworthiness certification is more than just regulatory approval; it’s a green light to advance our mission and expand our U.S. footprint,” said Rani Plaut, CEO and co-founder of Air. “All of us at Air are so proud to be part of an industry that is making sustainable electric flight a reality.”
To date, Air has conducted <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-05-27/airs-uncrewed-cargo-evtol-conducts-night-flight-trials">flight testing</a>&nbsp;at a location in northern Israel. The company reported that these have included night trials for beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations.
In the context of the current eVTOL market, Air defines its aircraft as a midsized aircraft. While aiming for certification in the LSA class, the company said the product has more than twice the payload of smaller recreational vehicles. At around 2,500 pounds, the Air One’s maximum takeoff weight is around half that of some larger eVTOL aircraft.

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FAA Grants Experimental Airworthiness Certification for Air One eVTOL 

Air says the approval allows it to expand flight testing in the U.S. 

Air said that developing both piloted and uncrewed versions of its Air One eVTOL aircraft will be easier now that it holds an FAA experimental certificate.

FAA Grants Experimental Airworthiness Certification for Air One eVTOL

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