Business Airport International
  • News
    • Accreditation
    • Aircraft
    • Airports
    • Charter
    • Construction
    • FBOs
    • Fuel
    • IT & Software
    • MRO
    • Partnerships
    • Passenger Experience
    • Sustainability
    • Technology
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • March / April 2025
    • Dec 2024 / Jan 2025
    • October 2024
    • July 2024
    • March / April 2024
    • Dec 2023 / Jan 2024
    • September / October 2023
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Surveys
  • Jobs
    • Browse Industry Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
  • Events
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
LinkedIn YouTube
Subscribe to Magazine Subscribe to Email Newsletter Media Pack
Business Airport International
  • News
      • Accreditation
      • Aircraft
      • Airports
      • Charter
      • Construction
      • FBOs
      • Fuel
      • IT & Software
      • MRO
      • Partnerships
      • Passenger Experience
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. March / April 2025
    2. Dec 2024 / Jan 2025
    3. October 2024
    4. July 2024
    5. March / April 2024
    6. Dec 2023 / Jan 2024
    7. September / October 2023
    8. July 2023
    9. Archive Issues
    10. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    2nd April 2025

    In this Issue – March / April

    Online Magazines By Paige Smith
    Recent

    In this Issue – March / April

    2nd April 2025

    In this Issue – December / January 2025

    19th December 2024

    In this Issue – October 2024

    10th October 2024
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Press Releases
  • Surveys
  • Jobs
    • Browse Industry Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
  • Events
LinkedIn YouTube
Business Airport International
Aircraft

Solar-powered Sky Jeep for remote and rural operations makes first flight

Ben SampsonBy Ben Sampson25th January 20233 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
The NUNCATS battery-electric sky jeep takes off for its first test flight from Old Buckenham Airfield in the UK (Image: NUNCATS)
The NUNCATS battery-electric sky jeep takes off for its first test flight from Old Buckenham Airfield in the UK (Image: NUNCATS)

A project developing a low-cost aircraft to be used in rural and remote communities in developing countries has taken a key step forward by conducting its first test flight in the UK.

NUNCATS (No Unnecessary Novelty Community Air Transport) is a non-profit organization based in Old Buckenham Airfield, Norfolk that has been building an electric “sky jeep” for the last three years. NUNCATS aims to provide cheap and sustainable transport to deliver doctors, teachers and medical supplies to remote communities across the world.

It’s sky jeep, which uses a battery-electric powertrain and is charged by solar panels on the ground, is based on a Zenith CH750 kit aircraft and flew for the first time on January 20.

NUNCATS plans to work with charities and NGOs to tap into existing networks of solar powered energy grids in remote towns and villages, so that the aircraft can fly between them delivering vital medical aid and attention.

The test flight is a significant step forward for the project and means any tweaks can now be made to speed up the production process, step up the trials and eventually see the plane take to the skies in life-saving missions.

NUNCATS is the brainchild of Tim and Helen Bridge, who founded the company in 2019 and began the project during the Covid lockdown.

The company has so far partnered with US Zenith Aircraft Company and several start-up investors but is looking for further funding to progress the project. Interested partners can learn more and contact NUNCATS via this website.

Over the last three years, they have modified the CH750 light-aircraft by replacing the petrol engine and fuel tanks with a battery-powered electric powertrain, supported by solar charging stations on the ground.

Tim Bridge said, “Nobody else is building electric aircraft in this way. Our aim is to provide a low-cost, rugged and practical aircraft for use in rural and hard-to-reach communities, such as medics in Uganda and doctors in rural India.

“It is great to see the plane in action. Our next stage is to find the money to complete the second plane and replicate this so we can get them into the field for testing.

“As soon as funding allows, we hope to move towards getting this into communities where it can make a real difference. There are currently a billion people in the world with no access to healthcare, 5,000 people will die because of that just today – this can be a genuine life-saver.”

The test flight was piloted by Captain Tim Kingsley, a pilot at Norwich-based air charter company SaxonAir, which is backing the project.

Kingsley said, “I’m very happy with how today went. It was cold out there, there was a bit of crosswind, but everything went really well.

“I’m delighted to be involved in this project and although it is still at its very early stages the vision is exciting. There’s nothing like this anywhere else in the world.

“I’ve seen first-hand the challenges some of these communities face and harnessing natural energy in such a way could make a real difference to so many people’s lives.”

Last year NUNCATS partnered with SaxonAir, the International Aviation Academy Norwich, Action Community Enterprises (ACE), East Coast College and Vattenfall to give young people aged 16 to 25 the opportunity to start building one of the aircraft at a free aviation summer school.

The ‘electric sky jeep’ kits can also be purchased as a greener option for sports flyers.

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleHow sanctions are impacting the Russian business aviation sector
Next Article Avfuel, Neste come together At SDC as SAF collaboration continues
Ben Sampson

Ben has worked all of his career as a journalist and now editor, covering almost all aspects of technology, engineering and industry. In the last 20 years he has written on subjects from nuclear submarines and autonomous cars to future design and manufacturing technologies and commercial aviation. Latterly editor of a leading engineering magazine, he brings an eye for a great story and lots of experience to the team.

Related Posts

Greece’s National Center for Emergency Care receives new Beechcraft King Air 360C
Aircraft

Greece’s National Center for Emergency Care receives new Beechcraft King Air 360C

13th May 20252 Mins Read
Gulfstream Aerospace has announced its fleet has achieved a 700 city-pair speed records with a Gulfstream G700 flight from Taipei to Miami
Aircraft

Gulfstream fleet amasses 700 city-pair speed records

24th April 20252 Mins Read
Aircraft

Gulfstream G800 certified by EASA and FAA

17th April 20252 Mins Read
Latest Posts

EBACE 2025: David Buritica, Signature Aviation

22nd May 2025
BBGA is the first European national association to join the advocacy initiative

BBGA joins CLIMBING. FAST.

22nd May 2025
Jet Aviation has completed a full renovation of its FBO in Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Jet Aviation completes renovation of Rotterdam FBO

22nd May 2025
Partner Content
Johanna Echeto, general manager, LZU

Q&A: Johanna Echeto, general manager, Sheltair, Gwinnett County Airport

29th April 2025
Supplier Spotlights
Our Social Channels
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Subscribe to Magazine
  • Meet the Writers
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
Related Topics
  • Aircraft Interiors
  • Air Traffic Technology
  • Aerospace Testing
  • Business Jet Interiors
FREE WEEKLY NEWS EMAIL!

Get the 'best of the week' from this website direct to your inbox every Tuesday


© 2023 Mark Allen Group Ltd | All Rights Reserved
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.