Bristow Group to work on development and certification of Electra.aero’s hybrid eSTOL aircraft, deal includes 50-strong order
Electra.aero will deliver up to 50 of its hybrid eSTOL aircraft to Bristow Group as part of a new partnership between the two companies, which will them work together on its technical development and certification.
This will include developing a full range of safety and operational features to ensure the new aircraft meets customer and certification requirements — from the FAA, EASA and Transport Canada.
Additionally, the companies will explore new markets for Bristow’s operations when utilising the Electra eSTOL aircraft — with a focus on ‘middle mile’ logistics for retail distribution, expanding its service to existing customer bases and specialised passenger services.
Chris Bradshaw, Bristow President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “Just as Bristow pioneered the vertical transportation market some 70+ years ago, this MOU sets the stage for early collaboration and development between Bristow and Electra for a new class of aircraft that will allow us to take advantage of the unique capabilities of electric and hybrid power generation technologies to substantially lower carbon emissions and operating costs.
“This will allow us to expand our expertise providing sustainable, innovative and efficient vertical lift and aerial transport solutions into new potential end markets like moving time-sensitive cargo and passengers regionally.”
Electra’s eSTOL aircraft can operate from runways as small as 300x100 feet using a proprietary proven blown lift technology where eight engines provide additional wing lift, and hybrid-electric power that provides internal recharging capabilities for aircraft batteries, eliminating the need for new ground infrastructure. It is currently being designed to transport up to 1,800lbs of cargo or move five to seven passengers about 400 to 500 miles.
Electra’s aircraft can operate in a variety of environments ranging from busy urban areas to remote landing strips, and fly missions ranging from on-demand intracity flights to medical missions, cargo transportation and scheduled passenger services.
John S. Langford, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Electra.aero, added: “Bristow’s deep experience operating aircraft across a variety of missions is an excellent complement to the Electra team’s extensive experience in designing and building innovative aircraft. This collaboration will lead to a more rigorous aircraft capable of addressing operators’ needs across a variety of use cases and will help Electra develop and certify an eSTOL aircraft in as short a period of time as possible.
“As our principal launch operational customer, Bristow will benefit from early access to Electra’s aircraft, which will deliver more than twice the payload, fly longer ranges, and have substantially lower operating costs than vertical take-off alternatives — with much less certification risk.
Today, Bristow operates a fleet of approximately 240 of the industry’s most modern aircraft for air mobility transport uses including oil and gas customers, search and rescue (SAR), and government and civil organisations, with annual revenues of more than $1.2 billion.