Skyfly completes Europe’s first inter-airfield eVTOL flights
July 3, 2025
A UK-based aviation startup says it has become the first in Europe to fly an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft between two airfields.
Skyfly Technologies successfully completed the flight with its Axe aircraft, flying a round trip between Turweston Aerodrome in Northamptonshire and Bicester Airfield in Oxfordshire.
The flight was piloted by Skyfly’s chief technical officer, Dr William Brooks, and forms part of a wider test programme to validate the Axe’s performance and control systems in real-world conditions.
The aircraft, classified as a Vertically Capable Aircraft (VCA), took 12 minutes to complete the outbound 10nm leg, cruising at low power and reaching a top speed of 71 knots.
The return journey was completed in just eight minutes. Upon landing back at Turweston, the Axe climbed to 3,500 feet for aerial photography and to drain the battery to a safe state of charge for transport.
“The aircraft performed very well. It has a gentle feel in turbulence, giving the impression of more span because of the motor masses at the tips. The comfort, outstanding view and lack of noise make for enjoyable flying,” said Dr Brooks.
The flight concludes the conventional wing-borne phase of testing for the Axe and demonstrates its flexibility to operate both as a traditional fixed-wing aircraft and as an eVTOL.
The company received clearance from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in 2024 for fixed-wing testing, followed by approval to conduct airborne transitions between vertical and horizontal flight modes, an essential capability for urban and regional eVTOL operations.
SkyFly heads to Oshkosh
The Axe is now being prepared for its international debut at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, which runs from 21–27 July.
Skyfly plans to fly the aircraft into the world’s largest general aviation event, pending the issuance of its experimental permit in the US.
“I’m incredibly excited to take our aircraft to Oshkosh. It’s a milestone moment for Skyfly, and we’re proud to be flying the Axe into the show, assuming we receive our experimental permit in time. Demonstrating the aircraft in flight, not just as a static display, will show the world just how far we’ve come,” said Michael Thompson, CEO, Skyfly.
The Axe is equipped with eight electric motors housed in four nacelles at the wingtips, powered by lithium batteries located in the fuselage.
The company has already sold 40 units of the Axe and is targeting the end of the second quarter of 2026 for first deliveries to customers.
Work is also underway on the next prototype, which will reflect the final production configuration.
