Skyfly, AeroVolt to Carry Out “UK’s First Airfield-to-Airfield eVTOL Flight with Electric Recharging”
Skyfly, the manufacturer of the two-seat Axe eVTOL aircraft and AeroVolt, an electric charging station company, are set to carry out the UKs first airfield-to-airfield flight in 2024 alongside a recharging of the craft, reports a press release.
The release explains, “The Axe eVTOL boasts an impressive range of 100 miles in a fully electric configuration or 300 miles in a hybrid configuration — far more than most other private eVTOLs, which are generally single-seat aircraft with a range of little more than 20 miles.
“However, AeroVolt’s public charging network further increases the flexibility of the Axe by enabling fast, hassle-free charging at various major General Aviation airfields such as Brighton City, Lydd, Dunkeswell, Bournemouth, Dunkeswell, Solent Airport and Sandown (Isle of Wight).”
Please Watch Video About Axe
AeroVolt began installing its first batch of charging stations at airfields across England last August. Presently, agreements have been signed for the installation of 60 such stations around the UK.
Michael Thompson, CEO, Skyfly, commented, “We are delighted to partner with Aerovolt. The company has developed by far the most advanced aircraft charging network in Europe, if not globally. It shows the UK’s appetite for low cost, low emission and low noise flying.”
He continued, “We cannot wait to demonstrate this capability on a real flight route which aims to prove to the non-believers that electric aviation is the future of mobility.”

Michael Thompson
The partners are to conduct test flights as part of a series of electric aircraft demonstrations. The trials will also confirm the compatibility of the Axe with AeroVolt’s charging and monitoring software.
Jaap Rademaker, CCO of Skyfly, remarked, “Aerovolt’s chargers are especially useful for training organisations. Our combined technology will create a method of truly sustainable, quiet and cost-effective flight training — particularly circuit training — which can be focussed on a single airport with permanent charging infrastructure.”
AeroVolt currently offers access to their charging stations via the subscription service, “Squadron.” Its Members are also entitled to hire AeroVolt’s Pipistrel Velis Electro fixed-wing electric aircraft as well as book rental craft and charging sessions at their destination, or use the chargers for their own private aircraft.”
An ID card is used to activate the chargers and commence the charging process. Updates are provided via text while underway. Once the charge is complete, AeroVolt produces an invoice which can be paid later on the company’s website, enabling pilots to charge an aircraft even at remote airfields where poor internet connectivity makes an on-the-spot payment difficult.

Sandown Airport, Isle of Wight Charger Installation
Meanwhile, the AeroVolt network will soon be accessible through Octopus Electroverse, a charging app from leading energy supplier Octopus Energy which is already well-established for electric cars. Aerovolt has already started work on ATIS and NOTAM integration for its charging network.
The company’s first batch of chargers are rated to 22kW, while installation of larger 44kW chargers begins this year. 120kW are also planned for the future. Multiple aircraft and, in some cases, electric vehicles, can use any one charging station simultaneously. Using AeroVolt’s chargers, the Axe eVTOL can charge in approximately 3.5 hours.
Please Watch Video About AeroVolt Smart Charging Network
https://videos.eaton.com/roadranger/detail/video/6338315951112/learn-from-a-project:-the-smart-aircraft-charging-network—aerovolt-uk
Alan Kingsley-Dobson, COO of AeroVolt, said, “The Axe is a really forward-thinking design in the emerging eVTOL market. The availability and usability of a charging infrastructure is key for their customers and future development and AeroVolt is ready to offer support however we can.”
Following this year’s trials, AeroVolt will then take delivery of their own Axe eVTOL in 2025. The aircraft will be available for Members of “Squadron” to hire, and will also be used by AeroVolt for customer demonstrations, network development and testing.
Background
Following two years of development, the Axe was officially launched in the summer of 2022. In the months since, the eVTOL has secured dozens of orders and has attracted the attention of investors. Skyfly is now building its first aircraft, with manned test flights due to begin in Q1, 2024. Customer deliveries will follow at the end of this year, when UK certification is expected.
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(Top concept image: The Axe eVTOL Aircraft)