The Axe eVTOL was given permission to conduct manned test flights in June 2024, and has recently made its maiden flight following over 200 tests conducted to tune the aircraft’s flight controller.

“The e-conditions approval and the licensing authorisation came as we assembled the prototype. We recognise and appreciate that the CAA team have been of great help to us, in particular enabling us to keeping to our development programme, and are all looking forward to sharing more flight test footage.”

– Phil Hall, Skyfly Certification and Engineering

The Axe can uniquely carry out a vertical take-off and landing as well as conventional ‘fixed wing’ take-off and landings on a runway thanks to its control surfaces and mechanical control system. Approval has been granted for both these flight envelopes.

As part of the approval process, it was necessary to establish the piloting requirement that will be needed to fly the Axe. A member of the CAA’s licensing department inspected the prototype and control systems, and was satisfied that as a predominantly wing-borne aircraft, a PPL-A holder will be able to act as pilot in command of the Axe after differences training on to type.

“After years of development, it was amazing to finally get in the aircraft and fly it. A manned eVTOL aircraft that can transition to forward flight is not covered by current licensing regulations. The CAA team have 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”

– Michael Thompson, CEO, Skyfly

Skyfly will be carrying out the flight tests at a remote site in the UK Midlands. Further updates, videos and photos will be released as tests proceed.