17 November 2025
Legendary test pilot Elliot Seguin is leading flight tests of the British electric vertical take-off and landing Skyfly Axe aircraft.
The aircraft has flown in the United States for the first time, starting a new phase of its flight test campaign.
Elliot Seguin brings a combination of both electric and internal combustion fixed-wing and rotary-wing test experience that makes him ideally suited to continue Skyfly’s flight-envelope expansion.
Elliot’s work at Scaled Composites and multiple Mojave-based experimental programmes over the past 20 years include 22 first flights and 12 world records. He has logged around 7,500 hours on 150 types from ultralights and helicopters to fighters and rocket powered spacecraft.
Skyfly Axe
Recent electric aircraft test flying by Elliot include the Beta Technologies air taxi and Ampaire hybrid Caravan, plus the Skyryse fly-by-wire and automation systems on a Robinson helicopter.
Michael Thompson, CEO of Skyfly, said, “Elliot’s blend of rotary-wing and fixed-wing knowledge alongside his electric-propulsion flight-test experience makes him an ideal partner for Skyfly as we continue to expand the Axe’s flight envelope.
“We’re excited not only about his involvement with SN001, but also about what lies ahead as we move toward the next type-conforming airframe.”
Skyfly’s Axe SN001 relocated to the USA earlier in the year to appear at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The move also enables Skyfly to benefit from improved year-round weather, accelerating its test programme. Engineering development continues with the next SN002 type conforming airframe.
