Jekta has begun flight trials with a 1:9 scaled demonstrator of its PHA-ZE 100 electric amphibious aircraft. The Swiss company announced on June 9 that flight trials have begun, but the location was not disclosed.
The tests are being conducted to gather data on how the design performs when operating from water, with a view to validating earlier digital simulations. The demonstrator is fitted with a distributed electric powerplant and onboard batteries and will continue to be flown through to September.
According to Jekta, it is now modifying a pair of amphibious flying boats that will be used as proof-of-concept aircraft to assess the combined digital and real-world data. This work is expected to provide input for detailed design modifications to the first full-scale prototype of the PHA-ZE 100, which the company aims to start producing at its facility in Payerne in 2028 or 2029.
Ultralights Are Part of the Development Path
“The flight testing marks an important milestone on our journey to bring next-generation electric amphibious aircraft to operators globally,” said Jekta’s CEO and co-founder, George Alafinov. “Flying the scaled models and modified ultralights moves Jekta one step closer to flying a full-scale prototype of the PHA-ZE 100, confirming that we’re on track with plans to introduce our new aircraft to the global air transport network in 2030.”
Jekta has already produced more than 90 single-engine ultralight and twin-engine flying boats. “We are drawing on years of amphibious aircraft experience by basing our full-size testbeds on ultralight aircraft of our design,” Alafinov explained. “That experience means customers can be confident that the PHA-ZE 100 is built on solid foundations by engineers who understand how to trial the real-world application of amphibious aircraft design successfully.”
According to Jekta, it has provisional sales commitments for the 19-passenger PHA-ZE 100 valued at more than $1 billion. The aircraft will be certified under Part 23 rules and will be able to operate in waves of up to 1.2 meters (3.9 feet).