Indian aerospace startup Sarla Aviation has begun ground testing of its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at its facility in Bengaluru, marking a key step toward its goal of launching commercial air taxi operations by 2029.
The company said it is testing a half-scale prototype known as the Sylla SYL-X1, which features a wingspan of 7.5 metres and is fully electric. Sarla Aviation described the aircraft as the largest and most advanced privately developed eVTOL of its kind in India. The ground-testing phase focuses on validating structural behaviour, propulsion system integration and overall safety performance.
Developed in around nine months, the Sylla SYL-X1 represents a transition from virtual design and laboratory-scale development to full system validation, the company said. Sarla Aviation added that the half-scale aircraft is being used to reduce technical risk ahead of full-scale development. While the prototype is fully electric, the production version is expected to adopt a hybrid configuration to support longer-range operations.
“This milestone reflects what’s possible when globally experienced Indian engineering teams build with rigour, patience, and world-class standards,” said Rakesh Gaonkar, co-founder and chief technology officer of Sarla Aviation. “Our focus has never been on being first, but on building to last — on creating an aviation giant,” he said.
Founded in 2023, Sarla Aviation has raised about $13 million to date to fund its first air taxi programme. Chief executive Adrian Schmidt previously worked in design roles at companies including Mercedes-Benz, Nio, Volkswagen, and German air taxi developer Lilium. Gaonkar has held senior automotive design roles at manufacturers such as BMW, Audi, Citroën, and Mahindra & Mahindra.
Earlier this year, Sarla Aviation unveiled its full-scale air taxi concept, Shunya, at the Bharat Mobility Expo. The six-seat hybrid electric aircraft is designed to use seven electric motors, reach speeds of up to 250 km/h and achieve a range of 150 km on batteries alone, extendable to up to 800 km using sustainable aviation fuel. The production version is planned to be built at a new facility in Thimmasamudram in the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh.
The company has also begun working with state governments to explore early deployment. This month, Sarla Aviation signed a memorandum of understanding with Goa to assess the use of air taxis across the coastal tourist state. It has also entered into a separate agreement with Karnataka to study potential routes linking airports and city centres with eco-tourism destinations operated by Jungle Lodges & Resorts.