ARC Aerosystems is to begin flight testing ahead of the return of the iconic Avian Pegasus gyroplane, a revolutionary aircraft that was developed in Canada during the 1960s. The Pegasus was, and remains, the only FAA Part 27 certified gyroplane in the world, featuring a unique jump take-off and zero-roll landing capability that the company believes makes it ideal for advanced air mobility markets.

Test flights of the Pegasus are scheduled for early 2024 at ARC's facility in Cranfield. Leading these flights will be Chris Taylor as the designated test pilot. Taylor is one of the most qualified and widely experienced test pilots, with an impressive portfolio of over 400 different aircraft types. He is a licensed Category 1 test pilot and flight test instructor for both aeroplanes and helicopters and has worked for several leading aerospace companies and organisations.

The decision to restore the remaining development aircraft to an airworthy state serves two strategic aims for ARC Aerosystems: Firstly, to serve as a technology demonstrator for ARC's nine-seat Linx P9 compound gyroplane, which is currently under development. The Linx P9 will incorporate the jump take-off technology of the Pegasus, as well as a hybrid propulsion system and advanced flight controls, to offer a fast, efficient, and versatile solution for regional air transport.

And secondly, to explore the potential of the Pegasus as a retro solution to the modern problem of air-taxis and urban air mobility. The Pegasus offers several advantages over the emerging electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, such as lower noise, lower power consumption, higher safety, and lower maintenance costs. The Pegasus is also already certified and proven, unlike many eVTOL concepts that are still in the experimental stage.

"We are excited to share the progress and achievements of the Pegasus project. We believe that the Pegasus is a unique and valuable asset for the future of aviation, and we look forward to demonstrating its capabilities," a spokesman says.