Writer

Charlotte Bailey

Sora Aviation has completed the initial flight test campaign of its subscale demonstrator for its planned 30-seat S-1 eVTOL concept. Over the course of several months, the UK has made dozens of flights with the subscale aircraft to validate its&nbsp;proprietary flight control architecture.
Announcing the milestone in June, Sora Aviation senior aerodynamics engineer Luke Brown said that data collected has shown “excellent correlation” with flight dynamics models and simulation results. These include ongoing laboratory testing and wind tunnel campaigns. 
Speaking to AIN, Sora clarified that the demonstrator configuration represents the full-scale aircraft’s overall geometry, control surfaces, propulsor positioning and centre of gravity.&nbsp; The company&nbsp;also provided further details about the S-1’s high-voltage (over a kilovolt) battery-electric propulsion system, which it said is being designed and integrated in-house. 
“While many current small air taxis rely on systems operating at around 800 volts and below 300 kilowatts, Sora has already designed, built and successfully tested a 1,200 volt inverter,” the company explained in a written response to questions. &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>In-Wing Batteries</h2>
Wing-integrated battery packs “provide structural bending relief while also improving safety by physically separating the batteries from the passenger cabin,” the company stated. These packs—based on commercially available cells with a pack-level specific energy of 275 Wh/kg—will be designed and integrated by Sora in <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-09-23/sora-and-bath-university-start-battery-tests-s-1-evtol-bus">collaboration with the University of Bath</a>. 
This work is supported by the UK Aerospace Technology Institute-funded Batwing program, announced in early 2025, which is due to run until early 2028. In March 2025, Sora announced a "pre-order agreement" with <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-03-10/korean-charter-flight-group-pre-orders-soras-s-1-evtol">Korean charter operator Moviation</a> for up to 20 examples of the S-1.
According to Sora, it is on track for a targeted first flight of its full-scale, 30-seat S-1 concept in 2028. The next program milestone is to conduct&nbsp;full-scale proprotor testing on a dedicated whirl tower currently under construction in Bristol. 
Scheduled for 2027, these tests are intended to validate the S-1's large proprotor architecture, which Sora claims will&nbsp;alleviate the high hub loads encountered during edgewise and transition flight. According to the company it is now building&nbsp;multiple additional ground and flight demonstrators to support the maturation of key technologies and systems across the program. 
Sora is targeting type certification and <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-08-21/sora-seeks-funding-30-passenger-battery-powered-evtol-bus">entry into service</a> in 2031, and, having closed a private investment round and secured funding grants, will be seeking to raise additional capital as it progresses through development milestones. The company told AIN it hopes that the 30-seat aircraft will draw&nbsp;investors “looking to back category-defining companies rather than incremental variations on existing [smaller] air taxi concepts.”

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Sora Aviation Completes Subscale S-1 eVTOL Aircraft Testing

UK start-up says 30-passenger all-electric aircraft could enter service in 2031

Sora Aviation has completed the initial flight test campaign of its subscale S-1 demonstrator, ahead of a full-scale first flight expected in 2028. 

Sora Aviation Completes Subscale S-1 eVTOL Testing

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

IADA’s AircraftExchange and CJP will link to each other on their respective websites

AircraftExchange Listing Platform Teams Up with CJP

David G. Mayer

Conducting due diligence is essential in finding a firm to operate your business aircraft on your behalf

AINsight: Can You Trust an Aircraft Management Company?

Matt Thurber

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Jet fuel is easily available worldwide for the turboprop light airplane 

CubCrafters Adds Turbine Power to Carbon Cub

Aircraft entered service in late 2025

Global 8000 To Mark Flightline Debut at Farnborough Show

Available inventories of large business jets are down by 40% YOY

Used Business Jet, Turboprop Inventories Continue Slide

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

More In Aircraft

AircraftExchange Listing Platform Teams Up with CJP

IADA’s AircraftExchange and CJP will link to each other on their respective websites

AINsight: Can You Trust an Aircraft Management Company?

Conducting due diligence is essential in finding a firm to operate your business aircraft on your behalf

CubCrafters Adds Turbine Power to Carbon Cub

Jet fuel is easily available worldwide for the turboprop light airplane

Global 8000 To Mark Flightline Debut at Farnborough Show

Aircraft entered service in late 2025

Used Business Jet, Turboprop Inventories Continue Slide

Available inventories of large business jets are down by 40% YOY

Inside AIN Media Group: Over 50 Years of Aviation News & Insights

The first word and last word in aviation.

Edgewing Gets $6.1 Billion for GCAP Fighter Development

Tri-national consortium awarded fresh funding following publication of UK Defense Investment Plan

Progress Continues on First Production Lear Restoration

Nonprofit group looks to return the Lear 23 back to airworthy status

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN