Katharine da Costareporting Fromoxfordshirebc
Skyfly ax can take off vertically like a helicopter or land on a track
Imagine an electric drone mixed with a fixed wing plane – which is the concept behind a new two -seater plane developed by the start -up, Skyfly.
The AX promises the flexibility of a helicopter but without cost, noise pollution or carbon emissions.
It is a vertically capable plane, or a vertical takeoff and electric landing plane (Evtol), which means that it can take off like a helicopter.
It also has two fixed wings which allows it to take off and land from a track.
The company claims that the ax has a top speed of 100 MPH, it can transport up to 172 kg – approximately the weight of two 13.5 years – and has a range of 100 miles, from the distance of Oxford to the island of Wight.
Michael Thompson, CEO of Skyfly, is optimistic, the new model will be delivered to customers early next year
The team, based near Banbury in Oxfordshire, took five years to refine the design.
“Compared to a conventional plane, he has eight engines, which is very strange,” said Dr. Bill Brooks, chief technical engineer of Skyfly.
“And it is a arrangement first of the tail called a duck, so it has a tail at the front. The weight at the top is 750 kg but 240 kg of this are batteries, so the whole structure is carbon fiber to keep it as light as possible,” explains Dr. Brooks.
Security is also an important part of the design.
“Environmental advantages”
The large wings help him to slip in the event of power failure and there are two engines at the end of each wing so that if one fails, the other can compensate.
It is also equipped with an emergency ballistic parachute to bring the plane and the passengers safely.
In addition to being safe and cleaner than conventional planes, Michael Thompson, CEO of Skyfly, says that electric models are also quieter.
“When you take off, you no longer bother everyone around you from the point of view of noise, so I think that the electric propulsion brings not only environmental advantages, but from a point of view of noise pollution, it is also a huge advantage,” he said.
Dr. Bill Brooks is the chief engineer and the test pilot in Skyfly
Who is he marketed?
Other evols under development include those who seek to provide an electrical service on taxis like Bristol Vertical Aerospace (VA).
Go, as well aser and Joby in the United States, design electric aircraft to transport up to four passengers.
Skyfly’s ax, compared, is more compact and intended for the private market.
The DIY kit plan comes with a price of £ 250,000.
It is intended for existing pilots who wish to move away from the motors with diesel piston.
Jason Pritchard, editor -in -chief of Evtol Insights, says that he is also likely to appeal to flying clubs to train new members:
“The Evtol aircraft industry is still in its infancy with initial operations in a few years, but it must also form a large number of pilots in the years to come,” he said.
“In addition, the design of the ax can also train drivers with the skills and controls necessary to get an air -free plane, which is a necessary tool.”
Skyfly
The light plane with two places has a range of about 100 miles
What about the invoicing of infrastructure?
Although the ax can be loaded during the night with a conventional three -pin cap, as are EV cars, electric aircraft will need the load infrastructure.
Aerovolt, based in West Sussex, has installed fast chargers in seven British airports with 40 others in progress.
Its founder, Philip Kingsley-Dobson, says that demand is increasing.
“Many piston planes cannot use lead fuel in the future, so they are looking for alternatives and means of decarbonizing the lower end of aviation,” he said.
‘Avant-garde’
There are no evtol aircraft currently authorized to fly in the United Kingdom.
Skyfly’s ax successfully finished the inhabited test flights in flight and front flight methods, but must still be certified by the Authority Civil Aviation (CAA).
With 40 pre -orders from buyers around the world, the company hopes to deliver the new model to customers early next year.
A CAA spokesperson said: “We are working with innovators to test and pilot new forms of aviation that keeps the United Kingdom at the cutting edge of flight technology and supports the sector to develop.
“The new technology is delivered with new challenges and security remains our priority in all this work.”
