Singapore-built aircraft complete first phase of flight tests in Germany

Singapore has successfully completed the initial phase of flight tests for two electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Germany. The 8-meter and 3-meter wing-span prototypes, constructed by over 20 students and alumni from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) along with professor James Wang, are research demonstrators not intended to carry passengers.

Over a two-and-a-half-week period in July, the smaller aircraft achieved nearly two hours of flight time in 17 flights, while the larger model logged 43 minutes across 20 flights. The 8-meter prototype reached an altitude of 92 meters, whereas the smaller aircraft climbed to 60 meters and reached a speed of approximately 120 km/h.

The tests took place in a 1.2-kilometer by 2.4-kilometer flight area at the German Aerospace Centre, providing a more spacious environment than what is available in Singapore for such testing. However, the larger prototype suffered a hard landing during the tests and is being transported back to Singapore for repairs. The team has yet to receive certification from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore to operate the aircraft locally, though they have conducted tethered tests at the former Kranji Racecourse.

Professor Wang indicated that future research efforts will concentrate on autonomous flight capabilities, range, battery capacity, and the potential use of hydrogen. He further added that the project has received S$25 million (RM79 million) in government funding, with an estimated S$975 million required to initiate commercial operations, which he predicted could be achieved by 2035.