Latest news with #BETATechnologies
New York Post
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Whisper-quiet electric helicopter-plane could turn NYC into ‘The Jetsons'
On Tuesday morning, the first-ever passenger flight of an electric-powered plane in North America glided down onto the tarmac at JFK with little more than a whisper. The quiet milestone has big implications for the future of aviation. 'We've drastically lowered the cost of flying, increased the safety and reduced the noise of the airplane — all concurrently,' Kyle Clark, the pilot of the flight and CEO of electric aerospace company BETA Technologies, told NYNext. 6 ALIA, an electric-powered plane, took off on the first ever North American passenger flight Tuesday morning. In 49 minutes, the plane traveled from East Hampton to JFK. Courtesy of BETA Technologies The 49-minute, 72-nautical mile jaunt from East Hampton to Queens was fueled by just $8 worth of electricity, but it was the culmination of years of development. Clark, a 45-year-old entrepreneur who studied engineering at Harvard, launched BETA Technologies in 2017 with the aim of developing electric-powered aircraft and the infrastructure to support them. He's since raised more than $1 billion in funding from investors such as the Qatar Investment Authority, Fidelity, and Amazon. 6 Kyle Clark, pilot of the flight and CEO of electric aerospace company BETA Technologies, spoke at a press conference after ALIA landed at JFK. In interviews with NYNext, he said, 'Creating a new form of air transportation will be transformative for society.' Courtesy of BETA Technologies In 2018, design began on the ALIA, a sleek, electric-powered aircraft that can seat five — four passengers and one pilot — and take off both horizontally, like a traditional plane, and vertically, like a helicopter or military jump jet. The latter is accomplished with the addition of four modular propellers mounted atop the aircraft that give it the look of a giant drone. 'I would never compare ourselves to the Wright brothers,' Clark said, 'but creating a new form of air transportation will be transformative for society.' ALIA are manufactured in Burlington, VT. And while there are others working to build similar vessels, Clark said that Beta is the only company in North America producing at scale. 6 ALIA has the capacity to ascend and descend vertically, like a helicopter, when rotors are added to the top of the plane. The configuration was not used during Tuesday's flight. Courtesy of BETA Technologies Thus far, the plane has completed 8,000-nautical miles worth of flights — many of them out of a small airport in Plattsburgh, NY. But Clark selected JFK as the landing site for Tuesday's flight to demonstrate the plane's true potential. 'It would have been too easy to fly between two minor class airports,' said Clark, who started taking pilot lessons in his early 20s, after dropping out of Harvard, to play professional ice hockey for three years. 'And to do so wouldn't really show the world that the FAA, the Port Authority and the controllers at JFK are ready for this new form of air travel.' 6 Executive Director of the Port Authority Rick Cotton spoke at the post-flight press conference at JFK. Clark said that landing at JFK, Class B airspace, required matching commercial jet approach speeds and altitudes while responding to air traffic control without deviation or delay. Courtesy of BETA Technologies At JFK, ALIA had to integrate seamlessly into Class B airspace — the most tightly controlled in the U.S., matching commercial jet approach speeds and altitudes while responding to air traffic control without deviation or delay. More remarkable than the plane's compliance with commercial protocols is its quiet nature. Until 1977, New Yorkers could fly from Midtown to the city's major airports, including JFK and Newark. Today, heliports are largely confined to the city's periphery because of noise concerns. Quiet aircraft, though, could mean that ports could be built in denser, more convenient locations. Blade, who works with BETA and other leading aircraft manufacturers, is planning on it. 'Quiet and emission-free aircraft will not only mitigate noise issues that concern New York and East End residents, but it will also make flying more affordable and accessible to the public,' Blade CEO Rob Wiesenthal said. While Tuesday's flight took off and landed horizontally, other test flights have ascended and descended vertically; vertical passenger flights are expected within the next year, and commercial service with the ALIA is expected within the next two years. 6 Aboard the flight Tuesday was Blade CEO Rob Wiesenthal. He told NYNext that, 'Quiet and emission-free aircraft will not only mitigate noise issues that concern New York and East End residents, but it will also make flying more affordable and accessible to the public.' Courtesy of BETA Technologies 'There are many, many safety thresholds that we have to cross on our way to get there,' said Clark. 'But we're rendering the recurring cost of operation to be pretty small — and that's after you increase the safety and reduce the noise.' BETA has already signed agreements or entered into partnerships with various companies, including UPS and Air New Zealand. The research and development that went into getting ALIA to this point, Clark estimated, cost BETA somewhere in the ballpark of $300 to 500 million. A similar amount, he told NYNext, went toward building a charging network. In addition to the 46 operational sites stretching from Monterey County, CA., to Gainesville, FL., to Portland, Maine. — each able to fully charge ALIA in under an hour and support electric vehicles like Teslas — another 50 are in permitting or construction phases. 6 Clark is congratulated at the conclusion of Tuesday's flight, which featured horizontal take off and landing. Vertical passenger flights are expected within the next year. Courtesy of BETA Technologies While BETA's long-term goal is to enable short-haul electric flights across the U.S. and beyond, Clark's current focus is squarely on New York. The ALIA could quietly land on vertiports on rooftops, ferrying passengers from Midtown to JFK with ease. Clark envisions a city connected by air — ala 'The Jetsons' — not someday but soon. This story is part of NYNext, an indispensable insider insight into the innovations, moonshots and political chess moves that matter most to NYC's power players (and those who aspire to be). Electrification, he believes, is aviation's next great leap, a long overdue new chapter after the jet age made flight global in the mid 20th century. 'This really has all the legs,' he said, 'to be a meaningful mode of transport for New Yorkers.' Send NYNext a tip: nynextlydia@
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Blade Participates in First Electric Passenger Flight in the U.S.
Flight utilized BETA's ALIA CTOL, which departed East Hampton Airport, New York and arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City Blade CEO Rob Wiesenthal's participation as a passenger on the all-electric flight underscores the company's commitment to quiet, emission-free air mobility Blade, BETA Technologies, and other Advanced Air Mobility manufacturers continue to collaborate on the integration of Electric Vertical Aircraft ('EVA' or 'eVTOL') in Blade's service model NEW YORK, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blade Air Mobility, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLDE,'Blade', or the 'Company'), participated in the historic first passenger-carrying flight of an electric aircraft in the U.S. BETA Technologies' ALIA conventional take-off and landing ('CTOL') aircraft flew from East Hampton Airport in New York into John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. The flight marked a major milestone in the advancement of all-electric aviation within commercial airspace. Blade CEO Rob Wiesenthal said, "This electric aircraft flight from Long Island to New York City highlights that quiet and emission-free flight is quickly becoming a reality, benefiting Blade's fliers, local residents, and other key stakeholders." Mr. Wiesenthal added, "I can think of no better way to demonstrate our company's commitment to quiet, electric aircraft commercialization than my participation on this flight as a passenger." The ALIA CTOL, developed by Vermont-based BETA Technologies, is a battery-powered, fixed-wing aircraft designed for safe, efficient, and sustainable transport of people and cargo. The aircraft has logged thousands of miles across diverse real-world conditions and is the first of its kind to receive a market survey certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), enabling rigorous demonstration operations ahead of full certification. 'Flying our electric aircraft into one of the world's busiest airports, with passengers, proves advanced air mobility is not some future concept, it's here,' said BETA Technologies Founder and CEO Kyle Clark. 'Today's flight is about more than technology; it's about innovation and connecting communities in safer, quieter, and more efficient ways. After years of rigorous safety testing in all types of environments, we're proud to stand with the Port Authority and the city of New York to demonstrate exactly how this aircraft can serve cities by easing congestion, reducing emissions, and increasing accessibility.' Blade's asset-light model, coupled with its proprietary terminal infrastructure, is uniquely positioned to accelerate the commercial transition to quiet, emission-free aircraft. The successful demonstration flight affirms both the near-term feasibility of electric aviation in metropolitan environments and Blade's leadership in shaping the future of sustainable air mobility. About Blade Air Mobility Blade Air Mobility provides air transportation and logistics for hospitals across the United States, where it is one of the largest transporters of human organs for transplant, and for passengers, with helicopter and fixed wing services primarily in the Northeast United States, and Southern Europe. Based in New York City, Blade's asset-light model, coupled with its exclusive passenger terminal infrastructure and proprietary technologies, is designed to facilitate a seamless transition from helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to Electric Vertical Aircraft ('EVA' or 'eVTOL'), enabling lower cost air mobility that is both quiet and emission-free. For more information, visit About BETA Technologies BETA Technologies is a Vermont-based aerospace company manufacturing the future of aviation. The company is producing next-generation aircraft — the fixed wing electric 'ALIA CTOL' and the electric vertical takeoff and landing "ALIA VTOL" — as well as the technologies that enable them, such as electric propulsion systems, flight controls, and battery packs. In addition, BETA is deploying an infrastructure network across the U.S. to ensure this new class of aircraft has access to reliable charging. These products are being manufactured at BETA's nearly 200,000 square foot production facility in South Burlington. With its low-cost, high reliability, and regional range capabilities, BETA's products are designed to move goods and people to increase connectivity for rural areas and improve access to healthcare and e-commerce across the U.S. — and beyond. For more information, visit Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the 'safe harbor' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and may be identified by the use of words such as "will", 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'could,' 'continue,' 'expect,' 'estimate,' 'may,' 'plan,' 'outlook,' 'future' and 'project' and other similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. These statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable and may also relate to Blade's future prospects, developments and business strategies. In particular, such forward-looking statements include statements concerning Blade's future financial and operating performance, results of operations, business and capital deployment strategies and plans, customer behavior, competitive position, industry environment and growth opportunities, and the development and adoption of EVA technology. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted, and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside Blade's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements include: our continued incurrence of significant losses; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related effects, failure of the markets for our offerings to grow as expected, or at all; our ability to effectively market and sell air transportation as a substitute for conventional methods of transportation; the inability or unavailability to use or take advantage of the shift, or lack thereof, to EVA technology; our ability to successfully enter new markets and launch new routes and services; any adverse publicity stemming from accidents involving small aircraft, helicopters or charter flights and, in particular, any accidents involving our third-party operators; the effects of competition; harm to our reputation and brand; our ability to provide high-quality customer support; our ability to maintain a high daily aircraft usage rate; changes in consumer preferences, discretionary spending and other economic conditions; impact of natural disasters, outbreaks and pandemics, economic, social, weather, growth constraints, and regulatory conditions or other circumstances on metropolitan areas and airports where we have geographic concentration; the effects of climate change, including potential increased impacts of severe weather and regulatory activity; the availability of aircraft fuel; our ability to address system failures, defects, errors, or vulnerabilities in our website, applications, backend systems or other technology systems or those of third-party technology providers; interruptions or security breaches of our information technology systems; our placements within mobile applications; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; our use of open source software; our ability to expand and maintain our infrastructure network; our ability to access additional funding; the increase of costs and risks associated with international expansion; our ability to identify, complete and successfully integrate future acquisitions; our ability to manage our growth; increases in insurance costs or reductions in insurance coverage; the loss of key members of our management team; our ability to maintain our company culture; our reliance on contractual relationships with certain transplant centers and Organ Procurement Organizations; effects of fluctuating financial results; our reliance on third-party operators; the availability of third-party operators; disruptions to third party operators; increases in insurance costs or reductions in insurance coverage for our third-party aircraft operators; the possibility that our third-party aircraft operators may illegally, improperly or otherwise inappropriately operate our branded aircraft; our reliance on third-party web service providers; changes in our regulatory environment; regulatory obstacles in local governments; the expansion of domestic and foreign privacy and security laws; the expansion of environmental regulations; our ability to remediate any material weaknesses or maintain internal controls over financial reporting; our ability to maintain effective internal controls and disclosure controls; changes in the fair value of our warrants; and other factors beyond our control. Additional factors can be found in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, each as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and Blade undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, changes in expectations, future events or otherwise. We are unable to reconciled forward-looking non-GAAP guidance, including Flight Profit Margin, Adjusted Corporate Expenses, and Adjusted EBITDA, without unreasonable effort due to the variability and low visibility with respect to certain costs, the most significant of which are incentive compensation, transaction-related expenses, and certain value measurements, which may have unpredictable, and potentially significant, impact on future GAAP financial results. ContactsMedia RelationsLee GoldPress@ Investor RelationsMat SchneiderInvestors@
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Willenborg leaves Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport for Hanscom AFB
WESTFIELD — Over the last five years, the Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport has seen remarkable growth and one of the driving forces behind that growth was Chris Willenborg, who announced in early April he was leaving his position as airport manager to take a similar position at the Hanscom Air Force Base. 'It's been an honor working closely with the airport management team, a dynamic Airport Commission, a supportive mayor and City Council, and engaged businesses and residents,' Willenborg said at the City Council meeting when announcing he was leaving Westfield. He said Tuesday that he accepted the position of airport director at Hanscom, which is located in Littleton and started April 14. 'The duties are similar to what I was doing at Barnes,' Willenborg said on his cell phone while driving to a meeting at the Boston Logan International Airport. About Hanscom, he said, it was the second busiest airport in New England after Logan and annually has about 120,000 aircraft operations. He called the new position an 'exciting opportunity' and 'incredible career opportunity.' Willenborg served as the airport director from 1999 to 2008 and returned in 2020. During those last five years, he said, aircraft operations are up 20% and revenues increased 40% to about $1.4 million annually. He said other than the city having to invest $600,000 to match federal, state, and private sector grants, the airport has been operating in the black since 2022. That match was used for grant funds of nearly $65 million used to enhance the airport's infrastructure which included runway and taxiway enhancements, additional hanger space, and the terminal was renovated. Willenborg was most proud of the infrastructure improvements during the last five years. Mayor Michael McCabe had nothing but kind words about Willenborg's service to the city. 'Chris is the epitome of the consummate professional, his kindness and caring towards his employees and his mission-driven outcomes were second to none,' McCabe said. 'He will be missed by the City of Westfield and by me personally. I wish him and his family nothing but the best. Hanscom is lucky to have him.' Willenborg said that after the growth over the last five years, 'the airport has a bright future.' During the City Council meeting, Willenborg announced that the airport's first electric-powered aircraft, a BETA Technologies ALIA VTOL, had stopped at the airport to charge its batteries using a charge station installed by BETA Technologies. In December, the airport partnered with Vermont-based BETA and Atlantic Aviation to install the electric charger just off the tarmac in front of the airport's original hanger and air traffic control tower. In 2020, Willenborg replaced former airport manager Eric Billowitz, who had served for three years. Jeff Lovejoy, the airport's assistant director, has been tapped to be acting director until a replacement is found. The posting on the city website is required to be open for 30 days, during which time applications will be accepted. The city personnel department will then narrow down the applicants to a short list of top candidates from which the new airport manager will be chosen. Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
US state partners with futuristic aviation company to revolutionize air travel ahead of 2034 Olympics: 'Cutting-edge innovations'
Utah is making moves to be at the forefront of sustainable aviation ahead of the state's global showcase at the 2034 Winter Olympics. EV Magazine reported Utah Aerospace & Defense and BETA Technologies signed an agreement to collaborate on electric aircraft and charging infrastructure. "Utah is at the epicenter of cutting-edge innovations in the commercial aviation industry that will play a critical role in Utah's economic future," Utah governor Stephen Cox said. "We are not just embracing the future of transportation—we are leading it." To that end, EV Magazine revealed the pact includes plans for a state-wide charging network, pilot training programs, and forecast models to assist flight operations. Flight demonstrations and public education initiatives round out the agreement. Interestingly, BETA Technologies' Charge Cubes aren't just limited to use for aviation, as they can also work with electric ground vehicles. Still, the most exciting part of the collaboration is potentially unveiling the future of aviation. "Utah has a long legacy of excellence in aerospace, which BETA already knows first-hand as many components of our ALIA aircraft are built here," company founder Kyle Clark said. BETA Technologies is just one of many companies tapping into electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) and electric conventional take-off and landing (eCTOL) aircraft. Their ALIA aircraft is an eCTOL model already doing test flights while proving capable of carrying five passengers or 1,250 pounds of cargo. New-age aviation solutions like these are turning heads as they produce no pollution while in operation and could provide a clean way to transport humans or goods while lowering road congestion. Considering aviation creates about 4% of our carbon pollution, electric or hydrogen-powered aircraft can make a difference in slowing the warming of the planet. Would you want EV-charging roads installed in your town? Sign me up Depends how much it costs No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. EVTOLs add increased versatility, akin to a helicopter, in which they can land and take off in more places while making minimal noise. EVs Magazine pointed out that the advanced aviation industry is set to swell to a remarkable $1.5 trillion by 2040. Utah is projecting that the partnership will deliver 11,000 new full-time jobs and $8 billion in new business activity by 2045. Jim Grover of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity called the deal a "pivotal moment" in the state's history. "The opportunity will transform how we travel, connecting our talented workforce across regions, improving healthcare access and assisting with energy development in rural areas," Grover declared. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Florence airport installs electric charging infrastructure
FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — Florence Regional Airport has partnered with BETA Technologies, an electric aerospace company based in Vermont to install electric charging infrastructure at its airport. The charger, which, according to a news release is designed to power the next generation of electric aircraft, marks the first installation of such infrastructure in South Carolina. The BETA-designed chargers are multimodal and interoperable, capable of powering various types of aircraft as well electric cars, vans, and trucks. The airport has installed a Level 3 fast-charger on the airside of the airport, where it will primarily charge electric aircraft and support vehicles, the release said. A two-port Level 2 charger has been installed in the parking lot, which is open for public use. Florence County Economic Development Partnership CEO Gregg Robinson expressed support for the new charging stations. 'My office stands ready to help industry partners take advantage of FLO's unique set of assets to establish new business ventures that will create innovative new jobs for our region alongside new transportation services for our residents and businesses,' he said. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
