Latest news with #EL9
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Electra and Surf Air Mobility Complete First Commercial Demonstrations of Ultra Short Aircraft at Virginia Tech
A series of "breathtakingly short" takeoffs and landings showcase how Electra's hybrid-electric aircraft will unlock the new era of Direct Aviation Surf Air Mobility will leverage its operational scale and proprietary SurfOS™ software for next-generation electrified aircraft BLACKSBURG, Va., Aug. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc. ("Electra"), in partnership with Surf Air Mobility Inc. ("Surf Air Mobility") (NYSE: SRFM) and Virginia Tech, successfully completed the first series of public demonstrations of its Ultra Short aircraft capabilities earlier this month. The demos – captured as part of a new video series – highlight how blown lift and hybrid-electric propulsion together enable takeoffs and landings in 150 feet or less at Ultra Short Access Points connected to novel airstrips, austere environments, or campus settings. These groundbreaking capabilities accelerate Electra's bold vision for advanced air mobility via Direct Aviation, opening the door to thousands of potential new routes that can be flown once its flagship EL9 Ultra Short aircraft reaches commercial service in 2029. The demonstrations took place at several locations at Virginia Tech, including: A 300-foot by 75-foot paved surface used for takeoff and landing of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) An access road on a closed test-bed campus research facility managed by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) A grass field at The Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center Electra's EL2 technology demonstrator completed the flights. Ultimately, Electra's flagship EL9 nine-passenger aircraft will enter service with similar capabilities. Surf Air Mobility, via its airline subbrands Southern Airways and Mokulele Airlines, have flown millions of passengers over millions of miles since inception. With Surf Air Mobility's decade of operational experience, existing nationwide commuter scheduled flight network, and proprietary SurfOS software, Surf Air Mobility is creating a platform to enable the launch of new electrified aircraft. Once certified, Electra's EL9 Ultra Short aircraft has the potential to leverage Surf Air Mobility's operations and software platform to bring the aircraft technology to market at scale. "These demonstrations showcased breathtakingly short takeoffs and landings and pinpoint landing capabilities with the power to transform aviation as we know it," said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra. "It's a great credit to our amazing teammates and partners that we are now demonstrating these capabilities in real world, non-airport environments." "What stood out to us immediately was the operational flexibility that the EL9 will enable," said Louis Saint-Cyr, COO and President of Hawai'i Operations. "The aircraft will be faster to turn around, less expensive to operate, and easier to deploy. These demonstration flights were a critical step forward in Electra's journey to commercialization and will solve real pain points with regional air mobility. We're excited to work with Electra to leverage our platform to help bring this novel technology to market at scale." "What Electra demonstrated at Virginia Tech was a first glimpse of how air travel will work in the near future," said Eric Paterson, executive director of the Virginia Tech National Security Institute. "It was a practical demonstration of how the EL9 can integrate into everyday environments, proving it works where it needs to." What is Direct Aviation?Direct Aviation brings air travel closer to home, work, and play. Instead of relying on a few large, congested airport hubs, Direct Aviation uses hundreds of thousands of smaller, more accessible locations. These Ultra Short Access Points can be as small as soccer fields and include underutilized airport facilities, novel air strips, or dedicated spaces near campuses or commercial areas. Enabled by Electra's Ultra Short technology, Direct Aviation removes the chokepoints of traditional aviation that limit access and add time on both ends of the journey due to the reliance on a handful of major airports. This model replaces long, congested drives, packed terminals, and underutilized runways with direct, efficient flights that cater to today's travel needs. A newly released study by researchers from Georgia Tech analyzed regional travel demand and patterns in the U.S. Northeast Corridor, identifying significant demand for Direct Aviation and ideal routes for Ultra Short aviation services. Many of the regional routes identified fall within the 50 to 300 nautical mile range, which is too short for traditional air travel to be practical, but too far or congested for efficient ground travel. Electra's Ultra Short technology will save time for travelers, maximize existing infrastructure, and connect communities currently not accessible by traditional air travel. With Electra's EL9 aircraft, these flights become faster, quieter, and more cost-effective. The aircraft operates at one-third the cost of a helicopter or eVTOL and is 100 times quieter. It integrates with existing aviation systems and is ready to deploy where demand already exists. With over 2,200 pre-orders from more than 60 operators worldwide, the EL9 is already one of the most in-demand aircraft in the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector. In the coming months, Electra will share use cases, sample routes, and operator partnerships that further showcase how the Ultra Short unlocks this new era of Direct Aviation. For more information, visit About Inc. (Electra) is an advanced aerospace company building hybrid-electric Ultra Short airplanes that achieve never-before seen performance advantages to fly people and cargo seamlessly without airports, emissions, or noise. With the EL9 Ultra Short, Electra is pioneering Direct Aviation, the next level of connectivity that brings air travel closer to where we live, work, and play. Electra's Ultra Short technology delivers 2.5x the payload and 10x longer range with 70% lower operating costs than helicopters and eVTOLs with significantly greater safety and far less certification risk. Electra's team includes some of the most respected and successful entrepreneurs and engineers in novel aircraft design, with over 40 prior aircraft successfully developed and/or certified. Lockheed Martin Ventures, Honeywell, and Safran are among Electra's strategic investors along with Prysm Capital, Statkraft Ventures (Norway's sovereign fund), the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), and other private investors. Electra's contracted customers include NASA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Navy, along with over 2,200 letters of intent from 60+ commercial customers, including both airlines and helicopter operators. About Surf Air MobilitySurf Air Mobility is a Los Angeles-based regional air mobility platform and one of the largest commuter airlines in the U.S. by scheduled departures. It is also the largest U.S. passenger operator of Cessna Caravans. In addition to its airline operations, Surf Air Mobility is developing an AI-powered software platform for the Regional Air Mobility industry. The company is also working to commercialize electrified aircraft and is creating proprietary powertrain technology for the Cessna Caravan. Surf Air Mobility plans to offer its software and electrification solutions to the Regional Air Mobility industry, with the aim to improve safety, efficiency, and profitability. Electra Media Contact:media@ Surf Air Mobility Media Contact:press@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Sustainability Times
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Sustainability Times
"They lifted off from a road": Electra's Hybrid-Electric STOL Jet Stuns Crowd With Ultra-Short Takeoff in Virginia Tech Public Tests
IN A NUTSHELL ✈️ Electra's hybrid-electric STOL aircraft successfully completed public test flights at Virginia Tech . hybrid-electric STOL aircraft successfully completed public test flights at . 🛫 The aircraft uses eight electric propellers and large flaps to achieve a 'blown lift' effect. effect. 🌍 Direct Aviation aims to bring air travel closer to urban centers, reducing waiting times and costs. aims to bring air travel closer to urban centers, reducing waiting times and costs. 📅 Electra plans to launch commercial flights of the EL9 aircraft by 2029, pending certification. In a significant stride toward revolutionizing short-haul aviation, Electra's hybrid-electric STOL aircraft has successfully completed public demonstration flights at Virginia Tech. The innovative design of this aircraft, featuring eight electric propellers and large flaps, allows it to take off and land on surfaces as small as a tenth of a standard runway. These recent tests not only showcased its capability to operate on diverse surfaces but also emphasized its potential to transform air travel accessibility. As the aviation industry seeks more sustainable and efficient solutions, Electra's aircraft could herald a new era of direct aviation, bringing air travel closer to urban centers and reducing operational costs. Innovative Design for Efficient Takeoffs and Landings Electra's STOL aircraft, known as the EL2 prototype, features a cutting-edge design that enables it to take off and land on remarkably short runways. The aircraft's wings are lined with eight electric propellers, a configuration that plays a crucial role in achieving the 'blown lift' effect. This allows the aircraft to lift off at speeds as low as 35 mph, making it particularly suited for short distance travel. The technological prowess of the EL2 does not end there. It incorporates large flaps on the rear of its wings, which further enhance its lift capabilities. The power for these short takeoffs is supplied by onboard batteries, while a small turbogenerator takes over during cruising to recharge the batteries. Such innovations position the aircraft as not only efficient but also environmentally conscious, contributing to reduced emissions compared to traditional aviation methods. Carmakers Face Major Problem: Electric Vehicles Fall Short Of Expectations, Forcing Them To Stick With Gas-Powered Models Public Demonstrations Highlight Versatility The recent public test flights at Virginia Tech were a major milestone for Electra, marking the first time the EL2 prototype was showcased to a wider audience. These demonstrations took place on a variety of surfaces, highlighting the aircraft's adaptability. The prototype successfully utilized a 300 x 75-ft paved runway, a grass field, and even an access road, thanks to a partnership with Virginia's Department of Transportation. These successful demonstrations underscored the aircraft's potential to operate in diverse environments. Marc Allen, CEO of Electra, emphasized the transformative nature of this technology, which could reshape how and where people experience air travel. The ability to operate from unconventional locations could drastically reduce the time and cost associated with reaching major airports, offering a more convenient alternative for travelers. 'Speedometer Barely Moved, Battery Wouldn't Quit' as Chevy Silverado EV Shatters 1,059-Mile Single-Charge Record The Promise of Direct Aviation Electra envisions a future where air travel is not confined to large, out-of-town airports. Instead, they aim to bring aviation closer to where people live and work. This concept, known as Direct Aviation, could offer passengers faster travel with reduced waiting times. A recent study by Georgia Tech identified a significant demand for such services, highlighting the potential market for ultra-short air routes. The economic benefits are also noteworthy. Electra claims that their aircraft can operate at a third of the cost of helicopters, presenting a substantial saving for operators and passengers. Louis Saint-Cyr, COO of Surf Air Mobility, highlighted the aircraft's efficiency, stating that it would be faster to turn around and less expensive to deploy. These advantages could play a key role in attracting new users to this form of aviation. '783 Miles On One Tank': Voyah Passion L Hybrid With 657 HP And Huawei LiDAR Tech Sends Shockwaves Through Luxury Sedan Market Future Prospects and Challenges Electra's ambitious plans extend beyond the EL2 prototype. The company has already secured over 2,200 orders from more than 60 operators worldwide and is aiming to launch commercial flights of the EL9, a nine-passenger version, by 2029. However, several challenges remain, including meeting stringent certification requirements and expanding operator partnerships. The path to commercial viability is paved with regulatory hurdles. Still, Electra remains optimistic about their timeline. The company plans to announce more use cases and sample routes in the coming months, which could provide further insight into the practical applications of their technology. As they move forward, Electra's vision of a more accessible and sustainable aviation future continues to inspire interest and investment. As Electra advances its innovative aircraft, the question remains: Will hybrid-electric STOL technology reshape the future of short-haul aviation, or will it face insurmountable challenges in its quest to take flight? The coming years will be crucial in determining the trajectory of this groundbreaking technology. This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (20)
