According to AVweb, Merlin has successfully finished the Stage of Involvement 3 (SOI 3) review for two critical modules of the Merlin Pilot autonomous flight system. This software verification milestone confirms the platform’s Flight Control Computer and its Automated Communication System have been validated against technical requirements established earlier in the certification process.
The Flight Control Computer handles aircraft navigation, while the Automated Communication System functions as a natural-language processor, capable of interpreting air traffic control inputs regarding heading, altitude, and airspeed to generate appropriate flight maneuvers. By concluding the SOI 3 review, regulators have verified that the software architecture meets the necessary design requirements for the project.
Certification Progress and Data
| Milestone | Component/Action | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOI 1 | Software-planning documents | 2023 | Complete |
| SOI 2 | Flight-control computer | October 2025 | Complete |
| SOI 3 | Software verification | Q4 2024/Q1 2025 | Complete |
The certification process is managed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of New Zealand, with active coordination alongside the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This bilateral aviation safety agreement allows the New Zealand regulator to lead the process while enabling the FAA to evaluate the system for potential validation in the United States. Additionally, Merlin has finalized an issue paper regarding the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence within the communication framework, establishing clear evidence-based requirements for regulators to assess.
Why It Matters
The progression toward Part 23 certification for fully autonomous flight is significant because it moves beyond mere pilot-assist features. By targeting capabilities from takeoff through touchdown, Merlin is positioning its technology to address the pilot shortage currently constraining regional cargo and light aircraft sectors. Successfully certifying AI-based natural language processing in aviation creates a legal and technical precedent for how automated systems interpret human-to-machine instructions in high-stakes environments. This sets the stage for a shift in how small-to-medium aviation assets are operated and managed across global airspaces.
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