Helix reveals new aircraft design that cuts flight fuel use by 90%

Helix, a UK-based electric motor specialist, has unveiled a radical aircraft design aimed at cutting fuel consumption on very short-haul flights (under 250 nautical miles) by up to 90 percent. Their new blueprint, detailed in the white paper “A New Architecture for Aviation,” proposes a three-step redesign for regional and private aircraft that combines a hybrid electric system, lightweight high-density motors, and ducted fan propulsion. This approach reduces fuel burn from around 230 kg per flight to just 23.8 kg, offering a practical path to significantly lower emissions and operating costs using existing technology. The design targets a market segment that accounts for over a quarter of global air traffic and faces high fuel costs, especially as sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) become more expensive. Helix’s solution centers on series hybridization, which pairs a compact liquid-fuel generator with batteries, enabling electric-only operation during critical phases like takeoff and landing, and fuel-powered battery recharging during cruise. This hybrid