Electra Unveils full-scale eSTOL demonstrator for flight testing
Electra yesterday unveiled the test vehicle for its hybrid-electric ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) technology demonstrator, the world’s first blown lift aircraft using distributed electric propulsion, which enables the airplane to take off and land in very short spaces.
Electra’s proprietary blown lift technology uses eight motors to provide additional wing lift, and hybrid-electric power that provides internal recharging for aircraft batteries, eliminating the need for new ground infrastructure.
“In the three years since we founded Electra, we have designed our eSTOL aircraft, validated our blown-lift technology with a sub-scale demonstrator, and run a fully integrated test of our 150-kilowatt hybrid-electric generator at full scale,’’ said John Langford, founder and CEO of Electra.aero.
“Now we are ready to test the entire system — we can’t wait to fly this plane and show the world what our eSTOL aircraft can do.”
Electra’s future eSTOL production aircraft will deliver the operational flexibility of a helicopter with the safety and economics of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft. Electra plans to fly a prototype in 2025, with certification and entry into service in 2028 under FAA Part 23 regulation.
Electra has designed the eSTOL aircraft so that hydrogen or battery-electric propulsion systems can be used in the future when those technologies are commercially viable.
Electra VP and general manager JP Stewart added: “We are meeting market demand for cleaner, cost-effective aircraft, and this technology demonstrator aircraft will prove that our eSTOL technology makes that possible.”
Electra currently holds letters of intent from more than 30 customers for over 1200 of its production eSTOL aircraft, totaling more than $4 billion. The company recently won a $30 million US Air Force funding award as part of a larger $85 million funding.
The aircraft was rolled out at Electra’s development facility at the Manassas, Virginia Regional Airport with guests from the aviation industry, government, the investor community, and Electra customers.
The two-seat piloted demonstrator will be flown this summer to track performance and inform the designers of Electra’s future nine-passenger production aircraft. The company conducted a fully integrated test of its proprietary hybrid-electric propulsion system last year.
