What is the Axe by Skyfly?

Can I fly my Axe?

Why is the aircraft safe?

The Axe is powered by 8 electric motors, which enables you to continue hovering even if one or two motors fail. The aircraft features a quadruple-redundant control system from Embention, one of the leading manufacturers of manned electric aircraft flight control hardware. This gives you multiple layers of redundancy in your flight control system. We are using proven systems with existing aerospace grade certification. The battery system is redundant, if one system fails, the other seamlessly takes over.

In the unlikely event all motors or systems fail, the high-lift wings and mechanical linkages to the control surfaces enable the aircraft to glide to safety and land normally. The wings are set up in a unique “canard” configuration such that you cannot stall the aircraft. Finally, in the event that you have no safe options to glide to safety, the aircraft is equipped with a ballistic parachute system. The system is activated by a lever in the cockpit which launches a rocket carrying the parachute out from the aircraft. This has been designed to carry the whole weight of the aircraft, 2 passengers, and luggage to safety.

Why is the Axe different to other E-VTOL aircraft?

The Axe uniquely does not have rotating engines or rotating wings. The angle of the propellers is set forward at an angle which means you have no rotating mechanism. This gives substantial weight savings, and avoids complex, maintenance-intensive and failure prone systoms to rotate the wings or engines. All of this leads to a reduced purchase price and lower operating costs. The Axe keeps it simple, strong and light with only a 10% reduction in forward flight efficiency. All of this contributes to heightened safety and is a key factor behind the Axe being the most sustainable personal mobility solution.

Why is the Axe crucial for other E-VTOL manufacturers?

For the first decade or so, EVTOLs which are intended to operate as commercial air taxis will not be permitted to operate autonomously or otherwise piloted by computers. They will need human pilots, who will need an EVTOL to train on. That’s where the Axe comes in – because of its four wings, it flies just like a standard airplane. By taking off and landing like an airplane, the Axe not only saves power, increasing its range, but also eases the transition for existing fixed-wing pilots training to fly larger EVTOL aircraft. The Axe is the 2 seat trainer of choice for new pilots and existing pilots alike, who can convert to the vertical landing and takeoff easily with help of electronics, making the aircraft safer and easier to fly than a helicopter. Its low weight light, low purchase price and operating costs, and minimal maintenance requirements also help to keep training costs low and be competitive. The training market is estimated to be worth over £2 billion. 

Where can I use my Axe?

Because the Axe is a private aircraft, in countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, France, you are usually allowed to land where the owner of the land gives you permission. This means any landowners can, using a public database, indicate they are happy for Axe owners to land in their field. Just like land owners generate an extra income from making their land available for parking cars near events in the countryside like festivals, they can do that to allow Axe aircraft to land. In this context – the hybrid option where your Axe can have a range extending, lightweight rotary generator, is also relevant – if you land somewhere where there is no charger, you can use your generator which will keep running until the battery is fully charged – ensuring you can land anywhere, and not just where there is a charger.

You will not be allowed to land near large international airports or city centres until regulation and infrastructure surrounding traffic management has matured, although over time it is likely these destinations and will eventually become automated. Through infrastructure providers like Urban Air Ports, it is likely that around cities, you will see ‘Urban Airports’ for EVTOLs to start to appear – where you can park your private EVTOL and switch to a larger commercial air taxi to get you to city centres. Because aircraft and EVTOLs cover much more distance in much less time compared to cars, these “changeover” airfields for EVTOLs will be dotted around city centres in areas where land prices are lower and land is readily available.

Where can I charge my Axe?

The Axe can be charged at your home – charging infrastructure is much like that of an electric car. Where three phase electricity is available, charge time is around half an hour, and where single phase is available, it’s around 14 hours. The cost of chargers is comparable to that for an electric car. Uniquely – the Axe has “off grid capability” – a hybrid option “range extender” in the form of a very lightweight rotary engine petrol powered 50KW generator is available – if you land somewhere where there is no charger, you can use your generator, which will keep running until the battery is full, and then switches itself off automatically – ensuring you can land anywhere, and not just where there is a charger.

Can I fly my Axe?