Sat, Dec 02, 2023
eSTOL Expected to Be a Solid Performer in Bristow Service
Electra.aero, Inc.’s eSTOL demonstrator aircraft has struck a deal to provide the Bristow Group for 5 early delivery positions for the upcoming production aircraft.
The agreement was firmed up by the payment of a deposit agreement, riding on a 2021 memorandum of understanding. That MoU saw Bristow gain pole position as the principal launch customer for the Electra eSTOL, with a big pre-order for up to 50 aircraft. These first 5 could be just the tip of that iceberg, should Bristow decide to exercise its options later on. They expect the Electra to perfectly suit their plans to provide "sustainable regional air transport on routes of 50 to 500 miles" along similar lines to their existing rotary-wing services. The short takeoff capability could make the Electra the perfect companion for petroleum, mining, and field power generation anywhere in the world. Certification for the Electra under Part 23 regs is expected to take place some time in 2028.
"With this early delivery position, Bristow looks forward to being among the first Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) companies to add the Electra eSTOL aircraft to our fleet and offer our customers the advantages of this new class of aircraft," said Bristow Executive Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer Dave Stepanek. "Bristow provides safe, efficient, sustainable, and accessible air travel solutions to our customers, and Electra’s eSTOL aircraft aligns perfectly with our vision, while enabling new markets at substantially lower operating costs.”
"We deeply value our partnership with Bristow Group and the 75+ years of experience they bring to our development program as our principal launch operational customer," said John S. Langford, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Electra. “This cash deposit is a real show of confidence in our eSTOL aircraft and a validation of our development roadmap. Bristow is a true AAM leader, and we look forward with anticipation to the future delivery of our aircraft to Bristow’s fleet.”
More News
Cooperative Surveillance Any surveillance system, such as secondary surveillance radar (SSR), wide-area multilateration (WAM), or ADS-B, that is dependent upon the presence of cert>[...]
Aero Linx: OX5 Aviation Pioneers Incorporated in 1955 as a Pa 501 (c)(3) Not for Profit Corporation, the OX5 Aviation Pioneers is dedicated to bringing before the public the accomp>[...]
The Pilot Appeared To Regain Control After Six Rotations And Attempted To “Fly Out” Inverted But Had Insufficient Altitude On November 8, 2025, at 1038 eastern standard>[...]
From 2018 (YouTube Edition): Aero-News Talks With The Airplane's Builder One of the many unique airplanes at AirVenture 2018 was a 1/3-scale B-17 bomber built by Jack Bally, who ta>[...]
Aero Linx: Society of U.S. Army Flight Surgeons (SoUSAFS) The Society of US Army Flight Surgeons (SoUSAFS) serves to advance the science and art of Aerospace Medicine and its allie>[...]
ANN's Daily Aero-Term (12.04.25): Cooperative Surveillance
See All