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Electra.aero announced Monday it had completed the first flights of its EL-2 Goldfinch, a hybrid-electric, ultra-short takeoff and landing aircraft. The eSTOL aircraft was revealed in June and is the world's first blown lift aircraft using distributed electric propulsion.
"The Goldfinch completed an all-electric test flight on November 11 and a hybrid-electric flight on November 19, both piloted by Cody Allee, from the Manassas Regional Airport (HEF) in Virginia," Electra's VP and General Manager JP Stewart said. "The first hybrid flight lasted 23 minutes, reached an altitude of 3,200 feet, and covered a distance of approximately 30 miles. We're looking forward to further expanding the envelope of this aircraft and demonstrating the full capability of Electra's technology."RELATED STORY:Electra reveals full-scale aircraft for eSTOL flight testing
The two-seat Goldfinh eSTOL uses eight electric motors to boost the wing lift and allow for ultra-short takeoffs and landings, while drastically reducing noise and emissions below those of conventional helicopters and aircraft. The hybrid-electric power provides for longer ranges without the need for ground-based charging stations. Electra is also developing a nine-passenger version for commercial and government markets which can takeoff and land with ground rolls as short as 150 feet and fly 200 mph for 500 miles.
The eSTOL is backed by strong market interest and Electra currently has pre-orders from over 30 customers for over 1,700 aircraft, equating to more than $6 billion in backlog. Electra will develop a prototype of the full-scale pre-production aircraft under a previously announced funding partnership of up to $85 million with the U.S. Air Force AFWERX Agility Prime Program. Certification and entry into commercial service under FAA Part 23 regulations is expected in 2028.
"The aim of Electra is to fill a gap in air travel between 50 and 500 miles, where most trips today are made by automobile," Electra founder and CEO John Langford said. "The key to saving time is to operate close in, which means getting in and out of small spaces quietly and safely, while still being fast enough to cover long distances. Electra will be able to take you from downtown Manhattan not only to Kennedy Airport, but to Washington, DC. It will bring air service to thousands of communities where air travel today is not a practical or affordable option. It also opens vast new opportunities for middle-mile cargo logistics."