Jekta Tests Electric Amphibious Aircraft Model for Sustainable Aviation

Jekta’s PHA-ZE 100: A New Chapter in Electric Amphibious Aviation

In a significant step toward sustainable regional aviation, Jekta Aerospace has initiated flight trials of a scaled model of its PHA-ZE 100, an electric amphibious aircraft. These trials mark a critical milestone in the aircraft’s development and offer a glimpse into the future of environmentally friendly, versatile air transport. Amphibious aircraft have long served niche roles in remote access, maritime operations, and tourism. With the PHA-ZE 100, Jekta aims to modernize this legacy with cutting-edge electric propulsion and digital design tools.

As climate targets tighten and demand grows for cleaner, quieter, and more adaptable aircraft, the aviation industry is undergoing a major transformation. The PHA-ZE 100 fits squarely within this evolution, combining amphibious design with electric or hybrid-electric propulsion. The current flight trials using a 1:9 scale model are not just symbolic, they are a technical necessity to validate advanced simulations and ensure the aircraft’s real-world performance aligns with its digital twin.

Flight Trials and Digital Validation

Scaled Model Testing: Bridging Theory and Practice

Jekta Aerospace’s flight trials involve a 1:9 scaled model of the PHA-ZE 100, a strategy increasingly adopted across the aerospace sector. This model is being used to validate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and aerodynamic predictions made during earlier design phases. By testing the scaled version in real-world conditions, engineers can confirm or adjust their digital assumptions, reducing the risk of costly errors when scaling up to a full-size prototype.

The use of scaled models allows for a more agile development process. It provides valuable data on lift, drag, stability, and hydrodynamic behavior, critical factors for an amphibious aircraft that must perform efficiently in both air and water. These trials also help assess how the aircraft handles takeoff and landing transitions on different surfaces, a key performance metric for amphibious operations.

Charles Alcock, Managing Editor at Aviation International News, emphasizes the role of these tests: “Using a 1:9 scale model allows Jekta to test aerodynamic and hydrodynamic performance in real conditions, bridging the gap between computer models and full-scale aircraft behavior.” This approach is not just about validation, it’s about learning and refining early, before committing to full-scale production.

“Using a 1:9 scale model allows Jekta to test aerodynamic and hydrodynamic performance in real conditions, bridging the gap between computer models and full-scale aircraft behavior.” , Charles Alcock, AINonline

Digital Twins and Simulation Tools

The PHA-ZE 100 development process is heavily reliant on digital twins, virtual models that mirror the physical aircraft in real-time. These tools allow engineers to simulate a wide range of flight conditions, system responses, and environmental variables without the need for physical prototypes at every stage. It’s a method that increases safety, reduces cost, and accelerates development timelines.

By validating the digital twin against real-world data from the scaled model, Jekta ensures that its simulations are accurate and reliable. This process is especially important for electric aircraft, where battery performance, weight distribution, and thermal management are critical factors that must be precisely modeled and tested.

Digital validation also supports regulatory certification processes, which increasingly require comprehensive simulation-based evidence alongside traditional flight testing. For a novel aircraft like the PHA-ZE 100, this rigorous approach is essential to gain approval from aviation authorities.

Environmental and Operational Implications

The PHA-ZE 100 is being developed with electric or hybrid-electric propulsion in mind, aligning with global efforts to decarbonize aviation. Electric propulsion offers multiple benefits: reduced emissions, lower noise levels, and potentially lower operating costs due to fewer moving parts and simpler maintenance requirements.

These features make electric amphibious aircraft particularly attractive for operations in environmentally sensitive areas, such as national parks, island chains, and coastal communities. The quiet operation reduces noise pollution, while the absence of fuel spills enhances environmental safety during water landings and takeoffs.

Although Jekta has not disclosed specific cost figures, electric aircraft typically require significant upfront investment. However, long-term savings in fuel and maintenance, combined with growing regulatory and consumer pressure for sustainable transport, may offer a compelling business case for operators.

Industry Context and Broader Trends

Electrification in Aviation

The PHA-ZE 100 is part of a broader wave of electrification in aviation. From urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles to regional electric aircraft, manufacturers worldwide are racing to develop cleaner alternatives to traditional fossil-fuel-powered planes. This shift is driven by both technological advancements and policy incentives aimed at reducing aviation’s carbon footprint.

Electric propulsion is particularly well-suited for short takeoff and landing (STOL) and regional routes, where range limitations are less of a constraint. Amphibious aircraft like the PHA-ZE 100, which often operate in short-range, point-to-point missions, stand to benefit greatly from this technology.

According to a 2024 report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), electric and hybrid-electric aircraft could account for up to 10% of regional aviation by 2040, provided that battery technology and infrastructure development keep pace.

Digital Engineering and Scaled Prototyping

The use of digital engineering tools, including digital twins and scaled prototypes, is becoming standard practice in aerospace development. These methodologies enable faster iteration, better risk management, and more efficient resource use. For startups and smaller OEMs like Jekta, these tools level the playing field by reducing the need for extensive physical prototyping early in the process.

Scaled prototyping also allows companies to demonstrate progress to investors and regulators, building confidence in the project’s feasibility. It’s a strategy that has been successfully employed by several electric aircraft developers, including Joby Aviation and Lilium, both of which used scaled models during early development phases.

Jekta’s integration of these tools reflects a broader shift toward digital-first aircraft design, which is reshaping how new aircraft are conceived, tested, and certified.

Norway’s Role in Sustainable Aviation

Norway has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable aviation, thanks to a combination of government support, environmental policy, and a strong tech sector. The country’s geography, dotted with fjords, islands, and remote communities, makes it an ideal market for amphibious aircraft, especially those with low environmental impact.

Jekta Aerospace is part of this national push toward green aviation. By developing the PHA-ZE 100 domestically, the company contributes to Norway’s broader goals of reducing domestic aviation emissions and fostering innovation in clean transport technologies.

Government incentives and public-private partnerships may also play a role in supporting the project, although specific funding details have not been disclosed. Norway’s experience with electric ferries and cars suggests a readiness to extend similar support to electric aviation.

Conclusion

Jekta Aerospace’s flight trials with the 1:9 scale model of the PHA-ZE 100 mark a pivotal step in the development of a new generation of electric amphibious aircraft. These trials validate complex digital simulations, reduce development risk, and provide critical data to inform the full-scale prototype. The project is emblematic of broader trends in the aviation industry, including electrification, digital engineering, and a renewed interest in amphibious capabilities.

Looking ahead, the PHA-ZE 100 has the potential to redefine regional and maritime air transport. With its electric propulsion system and amphibious design, it could offer a cleaner, quieter, and more flexible alternative to conventional aircraft, particularly in regions where access and sustainability are equally critical. As the industry continues to innovate, projects like this will play a key role in shaping the future of flight.

FAQ

What is the PHA-ZE 100?
The PHA-ZE 100 is an electric amphibious aircraft under development by Jekta Aerospace, designed to operate on both land and water.

Why is Jekta using a scaled model for testing?
The 1:9 scale model helps validate digital simulations and aerodynamic performance before moving to full-scale production, reducing risk and cost.

When is the full-scale aircraft expected to be ready?
Jekta aims to begin deliveries of the PHA-ZE 100 by 2029, pending successful trials and certification.

Sources: AINonline, Jekta Aerospace, Aviation Week, International Air Transport Association (IATA)