LAA and Skyfly to collaborate on personal eVTOL

The LAA and British company Skyfly have agreed to collaborate on a radical new aircraft design.

Dubbed the 'Axe by Skyfly', it is a two-seat, side-by-side compact eVTOL, aimed at private owners rather than the Urban Air Mobility sector. It will be available in kit-built form, supported by a factory build centre and it is hoped that the first customer aircraft will be flying in two years.

The LAA is working with Skyfly in liaising with the CAA on certification and pilot licensing of the aircraft. It is intended that the aircraft will be accepted under BCAR or EASA-derived e-VTOL approvals and we will work with the CAA to propose pilot training to NPPL requirements or similar with appropriate differences training.

The aircraft is capable of vertical flight, but has wings, and uniquely its design does not require swivelling engines or rotating wings – instead the motors are at a fixed angle, saving weight and complexity, improving safety and strength. The two pairs of compact wings give the Axe a longer range, allow glide landings for greater safety and even enable an energy saving, standard 'fixed-wing aircraft' take-off and landing where a conventional runway is available.

Above Members of LAA Engineering with a scaled prototype, meet with Skyfly Chairman Mark Johnson and project Chief Engineer Bill Brooks.

Inset What the full-size version of the Axe should look like.

Michael Thompson CEO and Chief Engineer William Brooks of Skyfly predict the Axe will have a range of 100 miles fully electric and 200 miles using a novel, lightweight rotary generator capable of charging the batteries whilst in the air. A remotely piloted scale prototype has already flown and performs well across the different modes of operation. www.skyfly.aero.

If your aircraft has been featured in the New Projects list, please let Project News know of your progress at: projectnews@laa.uk.com

■ Replica Plans SE5A (LAA 020-15822)

6/5/2022

Ms R Kelly, 2 Ratcliffs Garden, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8HJ

■ Druine D.31A Turbulent (LAA 048-15825)

16/5/2022

Mr A Alamudi, Surpass Inshore, 31 Mill Street, London, SE1 2AX

■ Steen Skybolt (LAA 064-15823) 11/5/2022

New Projects Cleared To Fly

If your aircraft has featured recently in the magazine and has subsequently completed its maiden flight, Project News would like to hear from you at: projectnews@laa.uk.com

■ G-BTOG DH82A Tiger Moth (s/n 86500) 27/5/2022

Name & Address held by LAA Engineering

Mr M Sugden, 2 Cornwall Terrace, Tattershall Road, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, LN10 6TU

■ Van’s RV-10 (LAA 339-15826) 16/5/2022

Mr N Nielsen, 23 Shepley Drive, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire, SK7 6LE

■ Van’s RV-10 (LAA 339-15830) 26/5/2022

Mr J Lee, 20 Palm Road, Hygge Park, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1GH

■ Van’s EV-7 (LAA 323-15831) 30/5/2022

Name & Address held by LAA Engineering

■ Sherwood Scout (LAA 345-15827) 16/5/2022

Name & Address held by LAA Engineering

■ Van’s RV-8 (LAA 303-15828) 20/5/2022

Name & Address held by LAA Engineering

■ Van’s RV-8 (LAA 303-15829) 25/5/2022

Name & Address held by LAA Engineering

■ Aeroprakt A32 Vixxen (LAA 411-15832)

30/5/2022

South

Mr G Fewster, The Old Farm, South Newington, Oxfordshire, OX15 4JW

■ Replica Hawker F.20 (LAA 431-15824)

13/5/2022

■ G-NCLA Van’s RV-12iS LAA (LAA 363A15643) 17/5/2022

Name & Address held by LAA Engineering

■ G-RIXA Piper J3C (s/n 18711) 4/5/2022

Name & Address held by LAA Engineering

Right RV-12iS 'Lima Alpha all complete and ready for her test flight.

Name & Address held by LAA Engineering