London-based startup SkyFLy has opened pre-orders for its two-seater eVTOL personal aircraft called the Axe. The SkyFLy Ax has vertical flight but has wings, and its unique design does not require rotating engines or rotating blades – instead it has engines mounted at a fixed angle, reducing weight and complexity while increasing safety and durability.

Two pairs of compact wings give the Ax a longer range than its competitors, gliding for greater safety and even providing standard energy-saving fixed-wing takeoffs and landings where a conventional runway is available.

The wings are 16.4 feet wide and have 4.9 feet diameter propellers at each end. Two 70 kW motors are mounted on each support. The aircraft has a speed of 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) and a range of 200 miles (320 km).

Weighing 428 kg with a 48 kWh battery, the Ax can lift cargo or people weighing up to 172 kg and fly up to 160 km on battery power. Taxis also have a hybrid option that uses a smaller battery with the generator, increasing the range if you need to travel further. The hybrid unit will reduce the overall weight by only 55 kg, while providing a constant power of 50 kW, increasing the flight time to 2 hours. The maximum take-off weight was increased to 600 kg, and the maximum thrust was declared as 700 kg.

The eVTOL cabin has two seats next to each other. SkyFLy says the eVTOL can take off and take off vertically, but it only needs a 50-metre-long runway if you want to take off like an airplane.

SkyFLy is already taking orders for the Ax on its website, with the first customers starting to receive their eVTOL in summer 2024. The preliminary price of the plane is approximately 173,000 USD. There are also a few extras like a $58,300 range extender generator and a $23,300 onboard ballistic parachute.