Do you need a pilot license to fly a personal eVTOL?

In the U.S., it depends on the number of seats. The FAA’s ultralight rules, Part 103, need no pilot certificate, but they only cover aircraft that carry one person. Carry a passenger, and Part 103 no longer applies. We checked this on October 15, 2026.

Source: 14 CFR 103.1 and 103.7 (eCFR) (opens in new tab)

One seat: often no license

A powered ultralight must also weigh less than 254 pounds empty and fly no faster than 55 knots. These single-seat aircraft are sold with that in mind:

• Jetson ONE: Jetson says no pilot’s license is required in the United States. Source: Jetson ONE page (opens in new tab)
• Pivotal Helix: Part 103 ultralight in the U.S., so Pivotal says you don’t need an FAA pilot license. Source: Helix specs (opens in new tab)
• Skyronyx S-Zero: Skyronyx’s Instagram labels it “Not type certificated · recreational use only · FAA Part 103.” Its website says to confirm eligibility for your configuration and use. Source: Skyronyx home page (opens in new tab)

No license doesn’t mean no rules. Ultralights fly in daylight, stay away from towns and crowds, and need permission from air traffic control near most airports. Is the Jetson ONE legal to fly? walks through each rule.

Two seats or more: not an ultralight

These aircraft carry more than one person, so Part 103 can’t cover them. None of them is certified for sale yet. Here’s where each one stands with the FAA:

• Alef Model A (two seats): On June 12, 2023, the FAA issued a Special Airworthiness Certificate to Alef’s prototype, the Model Zero, for limited purposes such as exhibition, research, and development. The Model A itself isn’t certified. Source: FAA statement via Revolution.aero (opens in new tab)
• Doroni H1-X (two seats): FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate granted for prototype testing. Doroni plans FAA certification test flights in 2027. Source: Doroni home page (opens in new tab)
• ASKA A5 (four seats): FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate for the prototype, flown as an unmanned experimental R&D aircraft. ASKA says FAA type certification is in progress. Source: ASKA home page (opens in new tab)

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