The ZALL Jihlavan JA-400 Skyleader 400 Electric (ICAO type code J40E) is an electric-powered adaptation of the Skyleader 400, a two-seat, low-wing, all-metal landplane. The aircraft is produced by ZALL Jihlavan Airplanes s.r.o. in Jihlava, Czech Republic. The manufacturer's lineage dates back to the early 1990s, evolving from Jihlavan Airplanes s.r.o. into the Skyleader brand, and eventually operating as ZALL Jihlavan Airplanes s.r.o. and Skyleader a.s. The company remains active today, with recent FAA registrations for the JA-400 family appearing as late as 2024.
While the electric J40E variant is recognized by ICAO, specific technical data regarding its electric motor, battery capacity, and propulsion architecture are not documented in open public sources. However, the aircraft shares its fundamental design with the piston-engined JA-400 (J400), which was first unveiled on July 14, 2012. The airframe is characterized by a distinctive gull-wing canopy and sports-car-inspired styling, designed to provide a spacious cockpit for two occupants. The standard piston version typically utilizes Rotax 912 series or Continental O-200D engines producing between 80 and 100 hp.
In terms of physical dimensions, the JA-400 family features a wingspan of 9.1 meters, a length of 6.3 meters, and a height ranging from 2.3 to 2.36 meters. The maximum take-off mass (MTOW) is 600 kg. Performance figures for the piston variant include a maximum speed (VNE) of 140 knots and a cruise speed of 94 knots at 75% power, with take-off and landing distances both cited at 200 meters.
Designed primarily for the civil market, the Skyleader 400 is marketed for recreational touring and flight training. While the piston-powered JA-400 is operated globally, including by private owners in the United States, there is no documented record of military service or specific commercial operators for the electric J40E variant. Due to the scarcity of public data, it is unknown how many J40E units were produced or if they exist beyond prototype or limited-batch stages.