PRESS RELEASE – 20/09/2023
SKYFLY TECHNOLOGIES LTD – skyfly.aero
Contact information:
Adam Landau – Head of Communications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
United States Aviation Regulator to recognise Axe VCA as Light Sport Aircraft
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- The US Federal Aviation Administration is set to liberalise its certification requirements for Light Sport Aircraft, allowing pilots to fly the Axe 2 seat electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft using a Sport Pilot Certificate, in addition to a Private Pilot’s License
- Unlike most other eVTOLs, the Axe VCA is able to benefit from these new rules because it is – uniquely – capable of operating both like a conventional fixed-wing aircraft as well as being able to fly like a helicopter
- As the world-leading regulator, the FAA is clearly signaling that it encourages innovation and electric aircraft, recognising the benefits of private eVTOLs for society, enabling fast, comfortable, quiet, safe, affordable and eco-friendly air travel
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The Federal Aviation Administration is set to recognise the Axe VCA (Vertically-Capable Aircraft) as a Light Sports Aircraft, as part of proposals to reform their light aircraft certification requirements. Previously, only single-engine aircraft could be classified as LSAs. However, recognising the part that electric aircraft will play in the future of General Aviation, the reformed rules will allow LSAs to have “any number or type of powerplants”.
The Axe has 8 electric motors and four wings, providing multi-layered safety redundancy, as well as whisper-quiet operation compared to old-fashioned fossil fuel burning helicopters or airplanes.
Most eVTOLs and VCAs will not be covered by the new rules as powered lift aircraft are explicitly excluded from being considered LSAs. However, the Axe qualifies as an LSA thanks to its unique four four wings giving aerodynamic lift and its fixed 45 degree angle rotors which make it capable of operating as a normal airplane.
“It is meaningful to see the world’s leading aviation regulator, the US Federal Aviation Administration encouraging and supporting sustainability and innovation for eco-friendly electric aircraft like the Axe VCA by Skyfly. The FAA’s lead will spur on other regulators across the world to make new things happen too. The Axe VCA is both a helicopter as well as an airplane, but much easier to fly than either of these, and with a lower environmental impact, less noise and significantly greater safety. By creating a regulatory environment in which the Axe can operate to its full potential, the FAA is taking concrete steps towards making the skies cleaner, quieter, safer and more affordable to all.
Our customers cannot wait to cut their travel times to a quarter or less while enjoying more comfort and freedom in the skies instead of being stuck in traffic on Earth.”
– Jaap Rademaker, CCO, Skyfly
Known as the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) Reforms, the new rules recognise the importance of sustainable, efficient electric aircraft and intend to increase the suitability of such aircraft for both private use and pilot training.
Classifying the Axe VCA as a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) means pilots will be able to fly the Axe using a Sport Pilot Certificate (SPC). This creates opportunities for non-pilots to qualify to fly the Axe more easily than ever before, while also enabling thousands of existing SPC pilots to fly the Axe without needing to ‘upgrade’ to a full Private Pilot Licence.
Minimum training requirements for an Sports Pilot Certificate (SPC) are less than half that of a full Private Pilot Licence (PPL), and a PPL can typically be almost three times as expensive to obtain. Combined with
While pilots will be able to fly the Axe VCA by Skyfly, other eVTOL aircraft cannot yet be flown as pilots licenses worldwide are only for either fixed wing aircraft (airplanes) or rotary wing aircraft (helicopters) – there are no “eVTOL” licenses in existence yet anywhere in the world. The Axe VCA by Skyfly can be classified as a fixed wing airplane, can glide, takeoff and land just like any existing airplane – even though it is also capable of vertical takeoffs and landings like a helicopter.
The Axe VCA is aimed at private owners, flying themselves, and is not a commercial air taxi aimed at going into city centres for mass Urban Air Mobility (UAM) transport. In the hover, the Axe can be flown with the same simple and stable controls as a consumer camera drone – and benefits from an autopilot and moving map as standard.
Following two years of test flying the prototype, the Skyfly team now counts 7 full time engineers as well as three contractors, led by William Brooks and is focused on building the Axe to conduct manned test flights in the first quarter of 2024. The Axe is priced from 180,000 USD and can be ordered today.
“I believe that the long-awaited MOSAIC regulations will enable easy and affordable travel for eco-conscious owners who otherwise have few alternatives. The convenience offered by the Axe VCA will be a game changer for my clients who will definitely see the value of this time-travel opportunity.”
– Bill Minkoff, CEO, AltiSky (Skyfly USA assembly and build centre)
To find out more about the Axe visit www.skyfly.aero
To watch a video of our prototype flying, visit our YouTube channel.
The Axe VCA by Skyfly
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