Industry veteran brings 30 years of aviation design, testing and certification leadership to Odys Aviation’s next pivotal phase of growth

Odys Aviation, a dual-use aerospace company building hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, today announced the appointment of Oliver Reinhardt as its new Head of Design Organization. With three decades of experience across aviation and automotive disciplines, Reinhardt has built a career at the intersection of aircraft certification, safety and innovative design, most recently serving as the Chief Risk and Certification Officer at Volocopter.

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Oliver Reinhardt, Odys Aviation's Head of Design Organization

Reinhardt’s career spans nine aircraft certification projects and extensive international validations, as well as the setup of multiple EASA-approved Design Organizations. He has also led the implementation of Safety Management Systems (ICAO SMS) and Quality Management Systems across multiple sectors; experience that will be critical as Odys moves towards pilot customer operations in 2026. In addition to his technical expertise, Reinhardt has represented industry in several international aviation rulemaking activities, shaping standards for next-generation air mobility.

“I’m passionate about implementing novel products for the first time, without taking shortcuts when it comes to safety and quality,” said Reinhardt. “I had several opportunities to join other companies, but I chose Odys because of its clear roadmap, world-class team, and rapid go-to-market strategy. With its proven hybrid-electric propulsion technology, Odys provides a solution that, in my view, the market is actively demanding. Joining Odys Aviation is an opportunity to apply everything I’ve learned about certification, design, and production to aircraft that can transform mobility. Together, we’ll lead the way in aviation technology for a better and more sustainable future.”

“Oliver brings a rare combination of vision, technical expertise and regulatory depth,” said James Dorris, CEO of Odys Aviation. “His ability to build certified design organizations from the ground up, while maintaining uncompromising safety and quality standards, is exactly what Odys needs as we prepare for commercial operations in 2026.”

Reinhardt’s time in the automotive industry adds another dimension to his profile. There, he gained firsthand experience in scaling high-quality production, a crucial skill as Odys positions its aircraft for wider deployment and higher manufacturing rates.

Reinhardt will join established aviation leader and colleague from standards setting organizations, Jonathan Stephens, the company’s Head of Airworthiness and Certification. Stephens has 15 years of experience guiding aircraft through complex regulatory processes having led certification programs across both civilian and military platforms at Airbus, ensuring compliance with the highest safety and performance standards. Both Reinhardt and Stephens will be based in Odys Aviation GmbH's Munich location, further strengthening the company’s presence in the European Union.

Odys Aviation is nearing the completion of its U.S.-based flight testing campaign ahead of moving aircraft to Oman for deployment in its Operational Launch Program, with planned operations beginning in Q1 2026. Reinhardt’s leadership will ensure that the company’s hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft meet the highest standards of safety, reliability, and design excellence as they transition into real-world service.

About Odys Aviation

Odys Aviation designs, develops and manufactures long-range, technologically advanced dual-use VTOL aircraft that solve global challenges across defense, logistics, and passenger travel. The company is pioneering the next generation of VTOL aircraft which use hybrid-electric propulsion systems to deliver the optimal balance between range and payload.

Based in Long Beach, CA, Odys Aviation was launched in 2021 and is led by seasoned engineers and strategists from SpaceX, Airbus, Tesla and the U.S. Department of Defense. The company has $11B+ in signed LOIs to date. Visit www.odysaviation.com for more information.

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Reinhardt’s career spans nine aircraft certification projects and extensive international validations, as well as the setup of multiple EASA-approved Design Organizations.