The all-electric Zenith Sky Jeep makes its maiden flight.
The company, based at Old Buckenham Airfield in Norfolk, England, has been working on an electric Sky Jeep based on the Zenith CH-750 for the past three years.
According to company officials, the goal is to provide “an affordable and sustainable means of transportation to reach remote communities around the world with doctors, teachers and medical supplies.”
Working with charities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to utilize existing networks of solar-powered energy grids installed in buildings in remote towns and villages, between the provision of medical assistance and attention. It is planned that the aircraft will be able to charge during
The first test flight, which took place on January 20, 2023, was a “significant step forward for the project,” company officials said.
The Community Interest Company (CIC), which has partnered with US-based Zenith Aircraft Company and several start-up investors, founded the company in 2019, three years before the COVID lockdown.
They replaced the experimental aircraft’s engines and fuel tanks with electric engines and batteries supported by ground-based solar charging stations. Both the aircraft and the solar system are based in Old He Buckenham.
“Nobody else builds electric aircraft this way,” says Tim Bridge. “Our aim is to provide a low-cost, robust and practical aircraft for use in rural and hard-to-reach areas such as Ugandan medics and rural Indian doctors. I knew it, but it’s nice to see it in action, the next step is to finish the second plane, find the funding to replicate it, and take it to the field for testing. It’s about being able to get out.”
“As soon as funding permits, we hope to bring this into the community so that it can make a real difference,” he continued. With 1 billion people and 5,000 people dying today alone, this could be a real lifesaver.”
The test flight was piloted by Tim Kingsley, a pilot for SaxonAir, a Norwich-based airline charter company that is backing the project.
“I’m very happy with today’s results,” Kingsley said. “It was cold outside and there was a bit of a crosswind, but everything went well.”
“I am delighted to be involved with this project. It is still very early, but the vision is really exciting,” he added. “There is nothing quite like it anywhere in the world. can make a big difference in the lives of
In July 2019, Bridges formed NUNCATS (No Unnecessary Novelty Community Air Transport Services) as a nonprofit social enterprise spearheading the project. In partnership with SaxonAir, International Aviation Academy Norwich, Action Community Enterprises (ACE), East Coast College and Vattenfall, young people aged 16 to 25 have the opportunity to start building his one of the aircraft at our free Aviation Summer School. It offers.
NUNCATS officials say they are still looking for backers and sponsors to fund the project, and the electric SkyJeep kit will also be available for purchase by pilots and aircraft owners who want a greener option. added.
More information: NUNCATS.org