FAA Assigns Certification Office for XTI Aerospace’s TriFan 600 eVTOL

FAA Assigns Ft. Worth Office to Lead Certification of XTI Aerospace’s TriFan 600 eVTOL

XTI Aerospace, Inc. has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has designated its Fort Worth, Texas Certification Branch Office (CBO) as the primary authority responsible for the type certification of the TriFan 600, the company’s hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This designation follows the FAA’s formal acceptance of XTI’s type certification application for the TriFan 600, officially designated as FAA model TF600, on March 17, 2025.

Collaboration with FAA and Certification Process

The selection of the Fort Worth CBO places XTI in a strategic position to work closely with a branch renowned for its expertise in certifying VTOL aircraft. XTI’s engineering teams will maintain ongoing collaboration with FAA subject matter experts across the country, providing Technical Familiarization briefings (Tech Fams) on the TriFan 600’s major systems and subsystems. Additional Tech Fams are scheduled for June and July 2025 as the certification process progresses.

Don Purdy, XTI’s Senior Vice President for Program and Business Development, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “We are excited to continue our relationship with the Ft. Worth CBO. This CBO has significant capability and expertise with VTOL aircraft. XTI and the FAA are laser focused on the same objective—a safe, reliable, and well-engineered aircraft—and we will work collaboratively with the local CBO and with FAA SMEs across the country to ensure we meet this objective.”

Industry Implications and Market Context

While the FAA’s selection represents a significant milestone for XTI Aerospace, the company faces considerable challenges inherent in certifying a next-generation eVTOL aircraft. The complexity of the certification process may present both technical and regulatory hurdles. Nonetheless, industry analysts view the FAA’s active engagement and the progress toward certification as positive signals that could enhance investor confidence in XTI’s future prospects.

This development occurs amid intensifying competition within the advanced air mobility sector. XTI’s advancement in the certification process may prompt rival companies to accelerate their own research and development efforts as the race to bring certified VTOL aircraft to market intensifies.

As XTI Aerospace continues its collaboration with the FAA, the industry will closely monitor the TriFan 600’s progress through certification and the broader market’s response to these unfolding developments.