Supernal hires ex-FAA man to direct regulatory affairs

Hyundai-owned Supernal has named ex-government official Jay Merkle as senior director of regulatory affairs. US-based Supernal is developing an “advanced air mobility” electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle. Merkle worked for 30 years at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and was executive director of the agency’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office. “Uniting top aviation expertise is critical to Supernal’s mission of responsibly shaping and introducing the Advanced Air Mobility ecosystem,” said Jaiwon Shin, president of Hyundai Motor Group and chief executive of Supernal. “Jay Merkle has tremendous depth and breadth in the industry, with a track record that