Regulation · United States
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
The FAA's powered-lift rule, SFAR 120 in 14 CFR Part 194, covers pilot certification and operations for a new aircraft category. It is not an aircraft type certificate. The FAA's public FAQ also defines powered-lift, advanced air mobility and vertiports.
The FAA's newsroom page on the powered-lift final rule says the rule adopts permanent amendments and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation for ten years to certificate powered-lift pilots, clarify operating rules, and integrate powered-lift into the National Airspace System. FAA notice N 8900.732 says the agency published that final rule on November 21, 2024, as SFAR No. 120 in 14 CFR Part 194.
The FAA's Part 194 FAQ, last updated October 22, 2024, says an SFAR is an interim rule for a unique situation and that this one is in place for ten years. It defines an aircraft in the powered-lift category as one that can take off vertically, land vertically and fly slowly, then fly like an airplane in cruise. It says many of those aircraft will be electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and that advanced air mobility is an umbrella term for moving people and cargo with new aircraft. It says the rule does not cover unmanned powered-lift and does not allow scheduled airlines to use powered-lift. It says the SFAR permits private, fractional-ownership, commuter and on-demand, and air-tour operations.
The same FAQ says the FAA determined it can certificate powered-lift aircraft under existing "special class" rules. That aircraft-certification path is separate from SFAR 120, which the FAQ describes as the pilot and operating rules. A National Aviation Authorities Network roadmap hosted by the FAA (April 2025) defines a type certificate as a design approval issued when the applicant shows that a product complies with the applicable regulations.
The FAQ defines a vertiport as a piece of land, or a structure, used for powered-lift landings and takeoffs, like a heliport but designed for that category.
Separately, 14 CFR 103.1, as published by the Legal Information Institute, defines an ultralight vehicle. A powered ultralight is limited to one occupant, recreation or sport, no U.S. or foreign airworthiness certificate, empty weight under 254 pounds, fuel capacity not over 5 U.S. gallons, and stated speed limits. An ultralight is not a type certificate. CBS News reported on October 16, 2026 that the FAA said the Tesla vehicle "does not meet the FAA definition of an aircraft."
Sources for this note
Where tracked vehicles stand
Rows are limited to vehicles on this site. "In a program" and "target" are not issued certificates.
| Vehicle | Document | Standing | Date | What the source says | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Requirements definition (not a type certificate) |
Step accepted, certificate not issued |
BETA said on August 12, 2026 that it had closed the FAA Requirements Definition phase for the CX300 and received FAA acceptance of that aircraft's compliance requirements. BETA did not say a type certificate had been issued. This step is not a type certificate. |
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Special airworthiness certificate (not a type certificate) |
Issued |
Electrek reported on October 15, 2026 that by 2023 Alef had received an FAA special airworthiness certification. Electrek did not give the day. A special airworthiness certificate is not a type certificate. Electrek's description of it as government recognition of a flying car is Electrek's framing. |
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Part 103 ultralight (not a type certificate) |
Not issued |
The Los Angeles Times reported that Pivotal classifies the Helix as a Part 103 ultralight and that it weighs about 355 pounds empty. 14 CFR 103.1 says a powered ultralight weighs less than 254 pounds empty and has no airworthiness certificate. This page does not resolve that difference. Part 103 is not a type certificate. The January 30, 2026 date is the article date, not an issuance date. |
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Not certificated as an aircraft |
Not issued |
CBS News reported that the FAA said the Tesla vehicle does not meet the FAA definition of an aircraft. There is no aircraft certificate to record. This is not a type certificate. |