(Payerne, Switzerland), the company behind the passenger hydro aircraft –zero emissions 100 (PHA-ZE 100) amphibious aircraft, has begun flight trials with a 1:9 scaled prototype. Using a distributed electric powerplant to draw energy from onboard batteries, testing will verify the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic configurations of the production aircraft. The remotely controlled model will generate data representative of the full-size aircraft to verify and confirm the results of computational modeling already completed.

Jekta flight testing begins for PHA-ZE 100 program. Source | Jekta Switzerland

Following on from digital simulations, real-world testing is expected to deliver valuable data on how the aircraft performs during landing, taxiing and takeoff from water. To optimize the full potential of flight testing, the 1:9 aerodynamic prototype will be used for initial verification work. Two amphibious flying boats are currently being modified as proof-of-concept aircraft and will be used subsequently to validate the combined digital and real-world data. The purpose-built, ultra-light test beds will further de-risk the program and inform detailed design modifications ahead of full-scale prototype construction.