ABOVE: The CAA granted an exemption permitting licensed test flights for the Axe eVTOL
Having received permission from the UK CAA to commence piloted testing of its two-seat Axe eVTOL in June, Skyfly has made its first crewed flight of G-SAFX with CEO Michael Thompson at the controls.
After over just four months in the build phase and another two months of ground-based testing, the inaugural flight marks a milestone in the craft’s ongoing development. “After years of development, it was amazing to finally get in the aircraft and fly it,” explained Thompson.
As part of the approval process, it was also necessary to establish the piloting requirement that will be needed to fly the Axe; with the CAA’s licensing department concluding that as a predominately wing-borne aircraft, a PPL A holder will be able to act as pilot in command after differences training on to the type.
“A manned eVTOL aircraft that can transition to forward flight is not covered by current licensing regulations,” confirmed Thompson, who nevertheless added that the CAA has been “very proactive in working to find a way forward and issue an exemption permitting licensed test flights. Once the licensing issue was resolved, approval, under e-conditions (experimental conditions), was quickly given”.
Thanks to the Axe’s control surfaces and mechanical control system, the craft is capable of a conventional ‘fixed-wing’ takeoff and landing as well as a vertical equivalent, with approval now granted for both of these flight envelopes.
The twin-seat, tricycle gear-configured craft features four three-bladed fixed-pitch propellers installed on the tip of the aircraft’s canards and tailplane. Eight 35kW motors offer a 280kw peak and, in a hybrid-electric configuration, are expected to offer a range of between 100-300 miles with a total payload of 172kg.
Skyfly’s concept is also unique among eVTOL developers in that it will be offered as a kit-build option, with the company targeting recreational pilots as its main market.
IMAGE: GRAHAM WASEY VIA SKYFLY
