FAA approves Skyryse to begin for-credit flight testing

Skyryse has been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration to begin for-credit flight testing with its Skyryse One helicopter.

Built on a Rolls-Royce-powered Robinson R66 platform, Skyryse One features the company’s in-house flight operating software SkyOS. Once certified, it will be the first production helicopter to feature a single control stick and two touch screens, replacing mechanical flight controls with a fly-by-wire system.

“Our goal is to make aviation safer and more accessible for everyone – across personal, commercial, and military,” said Mark Groden, founder and CEO of Skyryse. “Between signing a new agreement with the US Army this year, and now entering for-credit testing with the FAA, we’re gaining momentum toward scaling our aviation software across the industry. Starting for-credit flight testing with the FAA is not just a technical milestone — it’s a major step toward making aviation so simple and safe that anyone can fly any aircraft.”‍

For-credit testing with the FAA is a major technical milestone in an aircraft programme. As testing progresses, Skyryse said it will continue working closely with the FAA to demonstrate the capabilities of SkyOS.

First announced in 2024, reservations for the first edition of Skyryse One sold out in six months. The first aircraft are scheduled to ship in 2026, and the company is continuing to accept reservations at $2,500 for the next edition of the aircraft. Final pricing is based on customisation and delivery preferences.

Elsewhere, Skyryse recently entered into an agreement with the US Army to develop solutions to reduce time to train for pilots, increase interoperability between aircraft, and deliver optionally-piloted capability which could be applied to their fleet of 2,400 Black Hawk helicopters, among others.