Elfly Group and EASA Sign Contract to Develop Noemi Seaplane Prototype

Elfly Group and EASA Sign Contract to Develop Noemi Seaplane Prototype

Norwegian aviation firm Elfly Group has formalized a significant partnership with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to advance the development of its all-electric Noemi (No Emissions) seaplane. The pre-application contract (PAC), signed on June 18 at the Paris Air Show by Elfly Group CEO Eric Lithun and EASA’s David Solar, marks a critical milestone in the company’s pursuit of type certification for the Noemi, targeted for completion by 2030.

Advancing Sustainable Aviation Through Early Regulatory Engagement

The Noemi represents a clean-sheet design for a zero-emission commercial seaplane intended for regional travel, aligning with the aviation industry’s increasing focus on sustainable solutions. The PAC establishes a framework for close collaboration between Elfly and EASA throughout the aircraft’s design, manufacturing, and testing phases. This early engagement with regulators aims to ensure technical alignment and compliance from the outset, thereby facilitating a more streamlined certification process and eventual permit-to-fly approval.

This agreement follows Elfly’s recent achievement of the concept-freeze-review (CFR) milestone for the Noemi prototype, which enables more detailed technical discussions with EASA as the company prepares for the aircraft’s first full-scale flight. The PAC reflects a traditional type certification approach, encompassing all aspects of prototype development and regulatory requirements.

Navigating Regulatory and Technical Challenges

Despite the progress, Elfly faces considerable challenges ahead. Regulatory compliance remains a complex issue, particularly as the aviation sector adapts to emerging electric propulsion technologies. Safety concerns related to lithium battery systems, which are integral to the Noemi’s all-electric design, will necessitate rigorous testing and regulatory oversight. Furthermore, Elfly is contending with competition from other electric seaplane initiatives, such as Jekta’s subscale flight trials, which may accelerate rival development and certification timelines.

Industry observers are closely monitoring the Noemi project, assessing its innovative potential against the regulatory and technical hurdles it must overcome. The collaboration between Elfly and EASA is widely regarded as a proactive strategy to address these challenges and to establish a benchmark for the electrification of regional air mobility within Europe.

Both Elfly Group and EASA have underscored their mutual commitment to advancing sustainable aviation technologies. The PAC is expected to provide a robust foundation for efficient progression through subsequent testing and certification stages, supporting the broader objective of achieving zero-emission regional air travel.