Skai by Alaka’i Technologies

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.

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.