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Electra announced on Wednesday that it has been granted a series of patents for the core components of its hybrid-electric propulsion and flight control architecture.
The system is designed to enable ultra-short takeoff and landing operations while maintaining aircraft performance and safety margins. Its system architecture should enable takeoffs and landings in under 150 feet, utilizing existing runways, parking lots and soccer-sized fields. Electra claims the patents protect critical elements for electric-blown lift. They cover systems and methods for controlling the flight path of a blown lift aircraft (US Pat. #12384550), pilot guidance display for the same aircraft (U.S Pat. #12298151), and a battery disconnect system that is meant to improve maintenance, performance, and safety (U.S Pat. #12489181).
"Our patent portfolio protects our architecture and the ability to manage power, lift, and energy safety in a scalable hybrid-electric configuration," said Chris Courtin, director of technology development at Electra. "Where traditional aircraft rely on aerodynamic control surfaces, our distributed propulsion system makes the motors themselves an active flight control element. That improves precision, reduces workload, and makes Ultra Short aircraft fly like any other fixed-wing aircraft."
Electra describes the flight path control as a closed-loop system that allows the aircraft's flight path angle to be controlled through a single integrated power control interface. Pilots can select between takeoff, cruise, descent and reverse modes and the onboard computing system will adjust the aircraft's thrust to maintain the desired flight path. This architecture is important to Electra's blown-lift approach, which it claims is key to achieving reliable ultra-short performance with efficient cruise.
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Electra's next step is the commercialization of its EL9 Ultra Short aircraft. The nine-passenger aircraft has over 2,200 pre-orders from more than 60 commercial customers worldwide, making it the most in-demand aircraft in the AAM sector. The first test flights are planned for 2027, with certification and commercial service entry following in late 2029, into 2030 under FAA Part 23 regulations.
"These patents capture how we make electric propulsion not just feasible, but practical in the real world," said Courtin. "By simplifying control logic and embedding safety at the system level, we're enabling commercial hybrid-electric blown lift certification and deployment, on a proprietary basis."