Skai by Alaka’i Technologies

Quick Summary
The Skai by Alaka'i Technologies is the first ever hydrogen fuel cell powered eVTOL. The Skai is estimated to have up to a 400 mile range, carry up to 5 people, and have a top speed of 118mph. The aircraft is designed in collaboration with BMW Designworks, which is also repsonsible for desiging a Virgin Hyperloop One capsule interior. Alaka'i Technologies is led team of experts formerly from NASA, Raytheon, Beech, Cirrus, Dayjet, and the Department of Defense.
Stage of Development
Preliminary Design
Technical Details
Aircraft Type: Wingless VTOL
Powerplant: Hydrogen Fuel Cell, about 400 horsepower
Propeller Configuration: Six vertical lift propellers
Range: 400 miles
Top Speed: 118mph
Passenger Capacity: 4 passengers, plus 1 pilot
Payload Capacity: 1,000lbs
Autonomy Level: Semi-autonomous with eventual full-autonomy capability
Other Information
Altitude: Operates between 500 ft to 3000 ft
Regulation: Alaka'i is currently working with the FAA to get its design approved for experimental flight. Skai believes that with its 'keep it simple' approach, experimental certification and flight tests should be complete within a year.
Funding: Private
Our Take on Skai
The design of Skai is one of the most advanced on the market, comparable to the Bell Nexus Air Taxi. With a team of highly experienced leaders in aviation innovation, as well as BMW Designworks, Skai is likely to go far. The Alaka'i Technologies team was able to take the Skai design from napkin sketch to complete mock-up and full-scale prototype in just one year, faster than most other eVTOL companies on the market. Moreover, Alaka'i has the first-mover advantage for hydrogen fuel cell technology. While smaller, electric powered vehicles may initially make more sense for urban infrastructure where electric charging is readily available, Skai's fuel cell technology gives it an undeniable advantage in efficiency, eco-friendliness, and overall performance.