Czech Hybrid-Electric VTOL Maker Launches a Large-Scale Testbed

Last year, Zuri offered a unique immersive experience at Aero Friedrichshafen using a flight simulator, and it was the only one in the industry to do so for a pilot and four passengers at the same time. The experience was a great success and was introduced at a few more events in 2023. This year, the Czech company will introduce another novelty at the prestigious General Aviation event in Germany, in addition to the flight simulator.

The novelty is called Skeleton, and it's a large-scale ground testbed for Zuri's flagship eVTOL. Until now, Zuri has completed multiple flight tests using small-scale demonstrators; the most recent test drones with a 3.5-meter (11.4 feet) wingspan were so impressive that industry players became interested in their potential commercial use even though they were only intended for demonstrations.

With the Skeleton, Zuri will move into the next and most advanced testing phase. The testbed represents 60% of the commercial aircraft in terms of size and is mainly intended for testing all the electrical systems onboard. After ground testing is finalized, the feedback will be used to develop a flying prototype based on the Skeleton, which will weigh no more than 600 kg (1,322 lbs) with the pilot.

The Skeleton is currently on display at Aero Friedrichshafen 2024, taking place between April 17 and April 20. Visitors will also have access to the company's popular flight simulator for the pilot and four passengers simultaneously.

Like most hybrid-electric aircraft, Zuri's VTOL aims to improve range capabilities compared to the purely electric air taxis that can typically promise no more than 20-minute flights. The hybrid powertrain will enable Zuri to increase this time to almost two hours. A five-seater with a 700 km (435 miles) range has the potential to offer clean regional travel, which is beyond the reach of most battery-electric eVTOLs on the market right now.

Speed-wise, the commercial version promises 186 mph (300 kph). It will also be compact enough to be infrastructure-independent and land safely even on skyscraper rooftops. The advanced avionics and navigation systems will include AI algorithms for object recognition.

Also, even as a hybrid aircraft, Zuri will be able to cut emission levels considerably by feeding its engine with SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) instead of conventional diesel. Design-wise, the aircraft combines eight tilting engines for vertical takeoff (similar to a helicopter) with fixed wings for efficient forward flight.