What is the range of the Axe?
The forecast maximum range as a fully electric aircraft is 100 miles (1hr at 100mph) – with the hybrid generator, it is expected to achieve three times that amount at over 300 miles. The lowest cruise speed without losing efficiency is 55mph – this also gives you maximum endurance also of 1hr 21min for a fully electric solution at max payload. This is with our existing battery technology (we expect to have significant increases in capacity in the next year). See the graph showing speed vs range/endurance/power.
| Speed | Payload | Endurance |
| 55 mph | 172kg (2 pax) | 1 hr 21 min |
| 55 mph | 86kg (1 pax) | 1hr 42 min |
| 90 mph | 172kg (2pax) | 1hr 3 min |
| 90 mph | 86kg (1 pax) | 1hr 10 min |
What is required to fly the Axe?
The Axe’s unique design means it can operate like a conventional fixed-wing aircraft, despite being able to land and take off vertically.
Although there is not an eVTOL pilot license – the will be Axe will be flown with a normal private pilot’s license with differences training and a type certificate.
Why is the aircraft safe?
The Axe is powered by 8 electric motors, 2 on each corner which gives redundancy in the hover and forward flight. 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 other 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 eVTOL aircraft?
Wings: Whilst the Axe can take-off vertically, with our design featuring a main wing and a canard wing enables the Axe in forward flight to operate like a normal aeroplane – including mechanical control linkages to your control surfaces which enable you to glide and land even with a complete system failure. The wings drastically improve range (140kw of power in the hover vs 30-50kw in forward flight).
Weight: The Axe has focussed its engineering efforts to minimise weight across the whole aircraft. This has led to an all up weight of just 690kg. This has been achieved through the use of Carbon Composite structures over the whole airframe.
No Rotating mechanisms: Most eVTOL aircraft rely on failure-prone, complex, and maintenance-intensive rotating/tilting mechanisms for motor and rotor. But not us. The Axe does not have rotating engines or wings, saving you weight, operating costs, and purchase price compared to other eVTOLs.
Why is the Axe crucial for other eVTOL manufacturers?
When eVTOLs become certified for autonomous operation in the coming decade or so, pilots will remain necessary for their operation. This means the industry will need to train large numbers of pilots for eVTOL flights. (80,000 pilots approximately by 2028).
The Axe’s fixed-wing forward flight and conventional take-off capability makes it the ideal trainer for pilots to transition from fixed-wing aircraft to eVTOLs. Also, the design can train new pilots the skills and control necessary to land an aircraft without power (an essential tool).
The Axe’s electronic flight control system and its easy VTOL transitions will smoothly introduce any new flier to eVTOL flight, whether experienced or otherwise.
And this trainer won’t break the bank. Its low weight, low purchase price, and low operating costs are yet another reason why the £2bn training market is about to receive the perfect eVTOL pilot trainer.
Where can I use my Axe?
In most countries, private aircraft like the Axe can land wherever the owner of land has provided permission. There is already a public database which allows landowners to greenlight Axe owners’ landing on their fields in exchange for a small fee.
Now, there are limits – even for the Axe. Large international airports or city centres will be off-bounds until regulation and traffic management infrastructure has matured. Upcoming infrastructure providers like Urban Air Ports, however, are already in the process of planning for ‘Urban Airports’ exclusively reserved for eVTOLS.
These ‘Urban Airports’ will be stopovers, where you can park your private eVTOL and switch to a larger commercial air taxi for a short commute into the city centre. These “changeover” airfields for eVTOLs will be dotted around city centres wherever land prices are low 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 and the fast charger we offer with the aircraft will charge the aircraft from 0% to 100% in 4.5hrs – however, you will be charging normally from the existing state of charge of 20% giving you a charge time of 3.5hrs.
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