Skyfly Axe VCA
No runway? No problem
This flight marked the end of the “conventional phase” of Skyfly’s flight test program, which had focused on wing performance. The company has since received approval from the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority to begin airborne transitions between vertical and conventional flight modes.
Eight electric motors power four rotors and deliver up to 280kW of power, the equivalent of 375 horsepower.
The Axe is a two-seat, luxury personal aircraft blending the vertical lift capabilities of a helicopter with the efficiency of a fixed-wing airplane. Eight electric motors (two housed in each wing tip) power four rotors and deliver up to 280 kW of power, the equivalent of 375 horsepower. During cruise, the wings provide lift like a traditional airplane, but for vertical takeoff and landing, the Axe enters a nose-high attitude and hovers, meaning no need for a runway.
With a fully electric range of 100 miles and a hybrid version offering up to 300 miles, the Axe is designed for private pilots and regional transportation. Safety features include a 9:1 glide ratio, mechanical flight controls that remain in operation even in the event of an electric failure, and an integrated ballistic parachute system.
Skyfly has sold around 40 units so far and aims to begin customer delivery by late 2026. The aircraft operates under the U.K.’s Permit to Fly and the U.S. experimental category, which helps keep costs more accessible. In July 2025, the Axe made its U.S. debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, coinciding with FAA MOSAIC regulatory changes that will allow the aircraft to qualify under the light sport aircraft category. If you were at Oshkosh, you know—this little aircraft has a big presence. 
Related Articles
