JEKTA begins flight testing of scaled PHA-ZE 100 electric amphibious aircraft
Significant Milestone for Zero-Emissions Amphibious Aircraft Development
JEKTA, the Switzerland-based manufacturer of the Passenger Hydro Aircraft – Zero Emissions 100 (PHA-ZE 100) electric amphibious aircraft, has initiated flight trials with a 1:9 scaled prototype of its PHA-ZE 100 amphibious flying boat. Using a distributed electric powerplant powered by onboard batteries, these tests will verify the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic configurations of the production aircraft. The remotely controlled electric amphibious aircraft model will generate data that represents the full-size aircraft, validating the results of extensive computational modeling.
Following digital simulations, these real-world flight tests are expected to deliver valuable insights into aircraft performance during water landings, taxiing, and takeoff. The 1:9 aerodynamic prototype is a critical step in aircraft testing, ensuring initial verification of key performance aspects. Two amphibious flying boats are being modified as proof-of-concept aircraft and will later validate combined digital and physical data. These purpose-built ultralight test beds are designed to derisk the program and guide detailed design adjustments before full-scale prototype construction begins.
'After extensive virtual trials and simulations, our engineers are excited to begin flying the 1:9 prototype. The flight testing marks an important milestone on our journey to bring next-generation electric amphibious aircraft to operators globally,' says 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. Testing presents an excellent opportunity for us to showcase progress to date and the future potential of the PHA-ZE 100 to investors and customers.'
Amphibious Aircraft Testing Scheduled to Conclude in September
Flight testing of the 1:9 prototype is being conducted at an undisclosed location and is expected to conclude in September 2025. JEKTA's team has gained substantial experience in amphibious aircraft design, with a track record of producing over 90 single-engine ultralight and twin-engine flying boats.
Alafinov adds, 'We are drawing on years of amphibious aircraft experience by basing our full-size test beds on ultralight aircraft of our design. That experience means our 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.'
PHA-ZE 100 Electric Amphibious Aircraft on Track for Production
The JEKTA PHA-ZE 100 already has more than USD$1 billion of forward commitments from customers, with production at the Payerne facility scheduled to begin in 2028-2029.
JEKTA will also be attending the Paris Airshow in the Swiss Pavilion, Hall 4, B63.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Boeing CEO cancels air show appearance visit as India crash
Boeing and GE Aerospace are scaling back their public activities following the fatal crash of an Air India jetliner, with the planemaker's CEO canceling his trip to the Paris Airshow next week and GE postponing an investor day. More than 240 people were killed when an Air India Boeing 787 jet bound for London crashed moments after taking off from the city of Ahmedabad on Thursday, authorities said, in the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said in a message to staff on Thursday evening that he and Boeing Commercial Airplanes boss Stephanie Pope had canceled plans to attend the Paris Airshow "so we can be with our team and focus on our customer and the investigation." The air show, which runs from June 16 to June 20 at Le Bourget, is the global aviation industry's largest trade show, where many aircraft orders are typically placed by airlines. Ortberg had been due to attend for the first time as Boeing CEO since being appointed to lead the company out of a series of back-to-back safety, industrial and corporate crises. Aircraft engine maker GE Aerospace, whose engines were in the Boeing 787 plane, had planned an investor day on June 17 coinciding with the show. GE said the briefing had been canceled and it would put a team together to go to India and analyze data from the crashed airplane. "GE Aerospace's senior leadership is focused on supporting our customers and the investigation," the company said. It said it planned to give a financial update later this month. Safety experts stressed it was too early to speculate why one of the world's most modern airliners should crash shortly after take-off. Accidents in that phase of flight are rare, said Paul Hayes, safety director at UK consultancy Cirium Ascend. Most accidents are caused by a cocktail of factors. Under global aviation rules, India will lead the probe with support from NTSB investigators in the United States, who will in turn liaise with Boeing and GE on technical matters. The reduced attendance plans came as delegates said the crash had cast a somber mood over the air show, putting in doubt several order announcements and putting safety back in the spotlight alongside concerns over U.S. tariffs. The world's largest aviation trade expo, running from June 16 to 20 in Le Bourget , usually gives aircraft and arms manufacturers a key stage to showcase deals and sets the tone for a global supply chain already under pressure from shortages. FEWER DEALS Boeing has cancelled some events and is unlikely to make any commercial order announcements at the show, though it will press ahead with low-key briefings on other topics, delegates said. One key expected announcement had been a potential order for dozens of Boeing jets including the 787 from Royal Air Maroc. But the airline plans no announcement at the show and this will also affect Airbus which had been expected to win sell it some 20 A220s, industry sources said. None of the companies had any comment on specific deals. Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury on Friday expressed condolences over the accident and the world's largest planemaker was expected to observe a muted tone surrounding what had been expected to be a busy week for orders to meet high demand. One delegate said business would continue but with fewer of the high-profile press conferences and in-person announcements associated with the industry's biggest commercial showcase. Another said some order announcements could be delayed until later in the year as a mark of respect for victims. "The show will be a lot more sombre, less celebratory," said a delegate involved in planning one such announcement, speaking anonymously because the plans have not been publicly revealed. "The show will go ahead as planned, but it will be more subdued and with less cheerleading," the delegate said. (Allison Lampert in Montreal and David Shepardson in Washington, Tim Hepher in Paris; Editing by Leslie Adler, Jamie Freed and Nick Zieminski)
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
Nigeria: NCAA intensifies effort to sustain passengers' confidence in aviation sector
In a bid to sustain the confidence of passengers in the safety of the aviation sector in the country, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has trained professionals for enhanced, accurate and correct reportage of events within the industry. Speaking after the training in Abuja, an aviation consultant, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO); of Aviator Africa, Toni Ukachukwu, explained that 'this training will help the media professionals with tools and actionable ways to do aviation reportage with consideration to safety and security of the aviation industry. 'Aviation is a very sensitive industry, and the media plays a crucial role in reportage. it is very essential that the media is trained to make sure that, in disseminating information to the general public, the information is correct and accurate.' He said it is important to have a strong base where passengers can go to while seeking to verify information. 'So that is what we have conveyed throughout this training. 'The aviation industry is a safety sector, any wrong report can cause a huge dent or damage, not only to the to to the sector, but also to the passengers.' Ukachukwu explained further that, 'for example, if you say that there was a scare or there was a crash, and if it was not so, still, your report will dampen people's morale to trust the airspace in Nigeria. 'So churning out accurate information will not only foster confidence in air travellers in the sector, but will also protect the image of the aviation sector,' he stated. Also speaking after the training, another consultant, Chioma Agape Ubibi, stated that 'We understand the importance of professionals reporting things right because, as we have learned in the training, you are not just putting your report out there, you are educating the public, and you are also shaping perceptions. 'So we believe that as media professionals, we need to be informed, we need to be educated on how powerful we are, so trainings and workshops such as this empower professionals in putting out the right narrative to shape the aviation industry positively,' she stated. On behalf of Nthe CAA, Mbamalu Uja noted that he training is to empower more media professionals to enable them to do their reports accurately. She said professionals are supposed to verify information because publishing it avoids putting out narratives that may cause chaos or panic.
Zawya
5 hours ago
- Zawya
Air India's troubles under the Tata Group as crash creates its biggest crisis
The Air India plane crash that led to the death of over 240 passengers on Thursday has plunged the airline into its biggest crisis yet and will pose a significant challenge to its efforts to revamp its reputation and fleet. The following is a timeline of the airline's troubles since its takeover by the Tata Group in January 2022. - January 2022: Auto-to-steel conglomerate Tata Group takes control of state-run carrier Air India in January 2022, in a $2.2 billion deal, ending years of struggle to privatise the financially troubled airline. The Tata Group wants to recapture Air India's lost glory and compete with Gulf carriers, like Emirates, that capture the lion's share of west-bound Indian travellers. - January 2023: Air India faces criticism and around a $35,000 fine from the country's aviation regulator for its handling of an unruly passenger on a flight from New York in November 2022, and in December on a flight from Paris to Delhi. The regulator says the airline did not follow industry standards in its handling of the passengers. - June 2023: An Air India plane flying from Delhi to San Francisco is forced to divert and land at an airport in Russia's Far East after it develops a technical issue with one of its engines. A similar incident on the same route occurs in July 2024 due to a potential issue in the cargo hold area. - March 2024: India's air safety watchdog fines the Tata Group-owned airline 8 million rupees (nearly $93,000) for violating flight duty time limitations and fatigue management systems of its flight crew. Air India did not provide adequate weekly rest, adequate rest before and after ultra-long flights or adequate rest on layovers for flight crew, violating revised rules, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said. - March 2025: Air India's $400 million overhaul of its legacy aircraft's interiors has been dogged by supply chain issues that have delayed its aim of being a world class airline by months. The first such upgraded jet enters service in March 2025, later than the mid-2024 target Air India had set when it announced the overhaul. - May 2025: Air India says it expects to face around $600 million in additional costs if a ban from Pakistan's airspace lasts for a year, and asks the federal government to compensate it for the hit. Indian airlines braced for higher fuel costs and longer journey times after Pakistan shut its airspace to Indian carriers in a tit-for-tat retaliation following an attack on tourists in Kashmir. ($1 = 86.0950 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Meenakshi Maidas and Nandan Mandayam in Bengaluru; Editing by Susan Fenton)
