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This application is part of a national initiative titled “UAM Aircraft Demonstration Certification and System Development,” led by MOLIT, the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement (KAIA), and the National UAM Strategic Technology Program. The initiative aims to build the regulatory framework, technical standards, and certification systems needed for the commercialization of UAM in South Korea.
Type Certification is a key process that certifies an aircraft’s design as compliant with airworthiness standards. Without this certification, no aircraft can be commercially produced or operated.
The certification process typically takes over five years and involves extensive reviews, including ground and flight testing, technical document assessment, and defect mitigation. If an aircraft fails to meet technical thresholds at any stage, the process can be halted or denied altogether.
VSPACE stated, “With this application, we are the first company in Korea to begin the full urban aircraft certification procedure. It sets a new precedent for the nation’s UAM certification standards.”
The company added, “While type certification for civil aircraft has traditionally been overseen by authorities like the FAA (U.S.) or EASA (Europe), South Korea has had limited experience in this domain, making this a significant step for our local industry.”
Through this application, MOLIT and the Korea Aviation Safety Technology Institute have also begun developing South Korea’s own independent certification system. This would allow global eVTOL players like Joby and Archer to operate in Korea under unified standards.
Introducing the VS-300
VSPACE’s VS-300 is a three-seater eVTOL designed with a “Lift + Cruise” configuration optimized for short-distance flights within urban areas. The aircraft uses a high-density, lightweight electric propulsion system powered by in-house developed secondary battery modules. This approach delivers high energy efficiency, low environmental impact, and cost-effective operations compared to traditional fuel-based aircraft.
Rather than pursuing a larger 5-seat configuration, like many overseas competitors, VSPACE aims to achieve commercialization through a smaller, investment-friendly 3-seat design.
The aircraft incorporates a Smart Energy Management System (SEMS) that precisely controls key parameters like temperature, voltage, and output, enhancing flight stability and safety. Unlike conventional energy storage systems that shut down entirely during issues, the VS-300 features a dual-redundant emergency power management design aligned with aviation airworthiness standards.
Next Steps
VSPACE plans to publicly unveil a certification prototype of the VS-300 next year. Rather than relying on massive investment, the company is leveraging a legacy aircraft design that suits the air taxi market and reduces development risk. By minimizing the weight of the energy storage system, VSPACE also aims to reduce the maximum takeoff weight without sacrificing payload capacity (passengers + luggage).
“Battery weight is a critical factor,” said the company. “As battery weight increases, aircraft structural design also becomes heavier, roughly doubling the overall aircraft weight. This directly impacts development and manufacturing costs, both of which are highly sensitive to maximum takeoff weight.”
Jo Beom-dong, VSPACE’s Head of Research, concluded:
“This application marks a vital first step for Korea to lead both the technological and regulatory aspects of future air mobility, including urban aircraft. We are fully committed to achieving successful commercialization and establishing a competitive edge in the global aviation market.”
Source: By Changwon Lee | SisaJournal-e (https://www.sisajournal-e.com)