Aerospace start-up Electra revealed the Electra model EL-2 “Goldfinch” for its electric short take-off and landing (eSTOL) aircraft, demonstrating a milestone in Electra’s goals of helping to decarbonise transportation.
With short take-off and landing capabilities of 300ft, the Electra model EL-2 carries a cruise speed of 175 KTS with a flying range of over 400 nautical miles.
Electra intends to fly a prototype of the nine-passenger production aircraft in 2025, with FAA Part 23 certification and entrance into service in 2028.
Furthermore, Electra is demonstrating demand across the aviation market, with 30 current letters of intent from over 30 customers and an order book of over 1200 eSTOL aircraft worth over $4bn in market value.
Electra Aero founder and CEO John S. Langford highlighted the company's progress in the aviation sector since it was founded three years ago and emphasised the aircraft's previous flying abilities as well as future capabilities.
Langford said: “In the three years since we founded Electra, we’ve designed our eSTOL aircraft, validated our blown lift technology with a sub-scale demonstrator and run a fully integrated test of our 150kW hybrid-electric generator at full scale.
“Now we’re ready to test the entire system with this technology demonstrator aircraft. We can’t wait to fly this plane and show the world what our eSTOL aircraft can do.”
The Electra model EL-2 features blown lift technology, which incorporates eight motors to produce extra wing lift, as well as hybrid-electric power that allows for the internal recharge of aircraft batteries, minimising the need for new ground infrastructure.
Additionally, according to Electra, the nine-passenger aircraft can deliver the operational flexibility of a helicopter whilst providing the safety and economics of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft.
Electra VP and GM JP Stewart added: “Electra was founded to build electric aircraft that make sense. We are meeting market demand for cleaner, cost-effective aircraft that can fly people and cargo closer to where they want to go and this technology demonstrator aircraft will prove that our eSTOL technology makes that possible.”
In aid of further support, the aerospace start-up has received various funding from corporations including a series A investment from Lockheed Martin and an $85m strategic funding investment from the US Air Force for the full-scale production of their eSTOL aircraft.
