Manufacturer Rolls Out Hybrid Electric Passenger Aircraft

Electra.Aero, an aerospace developer and manufacturer, recently transitioned from its hybrid electric prototype to its nine passenger ‘Ultra Short’ aircraft. The plane aims to make regional air travel more accessible, sustainable, and flexible.

“Direct aviation is about democratizing that ability to go from where you are to where you want to get to, quickly using air travel, in a way that can fundamentally save you time [and] enhance connectivity,” explained B. Marc Allen, CEO of Electra.Aero. “And now, do it in a way that acknowledges one of the great themes of our lifetime, which is the energy transition and sustainability.”

The Ultra Short was Electra.Aero’s way of making this concept a reality. It began with a sub-scale demonstrator to test its blown-lift technology, which enables extremely short takeoffs and landings. The full-scale test vehicle, dubbed the Model EL-2 “Goldfinch”, debuted in 2023 and ran straight into its test campaign.

Electra.Aero’s nine-passenger Ultra Short uses eight electric motors and blown-lift technology, allowing it to take off and land in less than 150 feet. It is also quieter than most cars, producing just 75 dBAs at 300 ft and 55 dBAs at 500 ft. In cruise, it performs like a conventional aircraft with speeds up to 175 knots and an 1,100nm range.

“This really is a critical inflection point, both for the airplane and for the company,” Allen continued. This is [the] moment when we pivot and we go from the two passenger prototype to the nine passenger product.”

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