Smartflyer Targets 2026 First Flight for SF-1 Electric Aircraft

Smartflyer is aiming to achieve the first flight with its SF-1 light aircraft in the late summer of 2026. The Swiss start-up displayed the four-seater at the Aero Asia show held in Zhuhai in late November, emphasizing flight training, which it sees as the likely first application.

The company is developing the SF-1 as the first member of a family for aircraft available with three different propulsion systems. The intial pure-electric version will have a two-hour endurance, while a hybrid-electric variant could extend range up to 430 nm and a hydrogen fuel cell alternative could support up to five hours of flight.

The SF-1 prototype features a distinctive rear-mounted propeller on the vertical tail in a tractor configuration. The all-electric version is powered by a Emrax 348 electric motor delivering 160 kilowatts for takeoff and 120 kilowatts for continuous flight. The batteries housed in the wing are permanently installed, while the modular nose housing the energy source is swappable.

Speaking to AIN during the show in China, Smartflyer CEO and head of design Rolf Stuber said the SF-1 prototype is now in an intensive system test phase as the program prepares for upcoming ground and flight tests. "Individual components—including the range extender and battery management system—are being validated, while battery integration is planned for March 2026, subject to delivery timelines,” he explained “Following ground tests and the permit-to-fly process, first flight is targeted for late summer 2026."

To support the next development phase, Smartflyer is currently trying to raise approximately $3.72 million in new capital. Of this, about $1.49 million has already been secured, while the remaining $2.23 million is intended to fund further prototype refinements and preparation of the type certification application. The company plans to submit the application in mid-2027 and estimates the total cost of achieving EASA CS-23 certification at around $37.21 million.