Hybrid-Electric Prototype Featured In Media Event

NASA announced a media event for Administrator Bill Nelson, who never met a media event he couldn't put himself in the middle of, is set to fly in Electra’s EL2 Goldfinch experimental prototype on December 8 at 11:45 a.m. EST at Manassas Regional Airport (KHEF) in Manassas, Virginia.

Nelson and Electra leaders will be available to speak with the media prior to the flight, which will be open for viewing and filming. The aircraft will perform ultra-short takeoffs and landings with as little as 150 feet of ground roll, and will also include a battery-only landing.

Electra builds electric aircraft with the goal of reducing emissions and noise, and establishing new connections for regional air travel including underserved communities.

The Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate of NASA works to enable industry to introduce innovative and transformative technologies and options for future air travel in four major areas: High-Speed Commercial Flight, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Ultra-Efficient Airliners, and Future Airspace and Safety.

The data from agency-supported research are used to inform designs with the aim of producing greener aircraft with reduced operating costs. One focus is on projects that explore electrified aircraft technologies and refine electric short takeoffs and landing.

Another focus of the research is to bring sustainable solutions to the public. NASA selected Electra as one of five recipients of its Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability 2050 awards. This will enable Electra to develop design studies to explore key technologies for next generation sustainable aircraft.

FMI:  www.nasa.gov/