Move expands HEXA lineup and positions the company for commercial and autonomous air taxi operations
LIFT Aircraft has started the Federal Aviation Administration Type Certification process for a new commercial version of its HEXA electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The company announced the milestone from Austin, Texas.
The new aircraft, called the HEXA Certified Edition, marks LIFT’s entry into the commercial urban air mobility market. It builds on the same core airframe used across the company’s existing products.
Type Certification is required for aircraft used in commercial service. It also supports remotely piloted and fully autonomous operations. LIFT says the move completes its plan to offer a full family of eVTOL aircraft under one shared design.
Three Versions of One Platform
With this step, LIFT now offers three versions of the HEXA aircraft. Each model aligns with a different FAA regulatory category and mission.
HEXA-U (Ultralight)
This version operates under FAA Part 103 rules. It does not require a pilot’s license. The aircraft uses floats and small battery packs to meet strict weight limits. HEXA-U flies during the day, over uncongested areas, and for non-commercial use only. LIFT currently uses this model at its flight experience centers.
HEXA-S (Sport)
The Sport Edition targets the new MOSAIC Light Sport Aircraft rules. It requires pilot training and a license. This version can fly over cities and at night. It replaces floats with fixed skids and reaches speeds up to 90 miles per hour. Larger batteries extend flight time to about 25 minutes.
HEXA-C (Type Certified)
The Certified Edition is now entering full FAA certification. LIFT designed it for frequent commercial use and autonomous operations. The aircraft can fly in instrument weather conditions. Long-range batteries support flight times close to 40 minutes.
Using Data to Reduce Risk
LIFT uses the same basic airframe across all three models. This approach allows the company to rely on data from thousands of HEXA-U flights.
“From day one, our strategy has been to launch first in the Ultralight category to validate our technology, gather real-world flight data, and refine the user experience without the immediate burden of Type Certification,” said Matt Chasen, Founder and CEO of LIFT Aircraft. “Now, with a mature, safe, and proven platform, we are taking the next logical step. The Type Certified HEXA will allow us to expand into autonomous “full self flying” (FSF), point-to-point commercial air transportation.”
LIFT says this strategy lowers development cost and reduces risk. Many other companies are trying to certify aircraft without prior operational history.
Path to Commercial Air Taxi Use
The Certified Edition will include upgraded avionics to meet FAA requirements. It will still use the same distributed electric propulsion system and simplified flight controls found in earlier models.
LIFT states that HEXA-C will cost far less than larger commercial air taxis. The company also says the aircraft could compete with ground ridesharing once autonomous flight is approved.
The certification effort supports LIFT’s long-term goal of offering fully autonomous air taxi services using a smaller, simpler aircraft design.
About LIFT Aircraft
LIFT Aircraft is based in Austin, Texas. The company develops the HEXA electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. LIFT was the first company to offer pay-per-flight eVTOL experiences to the public without requiring a pilot’s license. The company focuses on making personal electric flight more accessible through simplified controls and electric propulsion systems.
Read more:
- LIFT Aircraft Demonstrates HEXA eVTOL at World Expo 2025
- Wisk Aero Announces First Flight of Sixth Gen Aircraft
- AIR Delivers First Production-Ready eVTOL Cargo Aircraft
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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