Electra has successfully achieved the first high-performance ultra-short flight operations of its piloted blown-lift hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) demonstrator aircraft (EL-2 Goldfinch).
The nine-seat Electra aircraft appears quite conventional at first glance, but it boasts several innovations that make it truly remarkable. Its eight small-diameter, five-bladed propellers, powered by quiet electric motors and a large lithium battery pack, enable fully-electric takeoff and landing, as well as quiet flight over populated areas.
Electra promises just 75 decibels at a distance of 300 ft (91 m), making it an exceptionally neighbor-friendly aircraft.
The inclusion of a range-extending generator may compromise the aircraft’s environmental friendliness on longer flights, but it enables longer flight durations that fully electric aircraft cannot currently achieve without significant advancements in battery technology. The Electra boasts impressive cruise speeds of around 200 mph (322 km/h) and a range of approximately 500 miles (805 km), in addition to a 45-minute reserve.
The hybrid system’s efficiency is expected to reduce fuel consumption by up to 40% on a 100-mile (161-km) flight. However, it’s likely that this percentage will decrease on longer flights, where the generator will operate for longer periods.
The ingenious design of the small props concentrates airflow over the wings, enabling takeoff and landing on compact 300 x 100-ft (91 x 30-m) airstrips. This exceptional capability is particularly impressive for a nine-seater aircraft.
The flight tests, conducted by pilot Cody Allee, were carried out in April and May 2024 at Virginia’s Manassas Regional Airport and Warrenton-Fauquier Airport. The longest flight lasted 1 hour and 43 minutes. Throughout the program, the aircraft demonstrated impressive performance, taking off in less than 170 ft and landing in under 114 ft ground roll. It reached an altitude of 6,500 feet and flew as slowly as 25 knots on takeoff and landing.
The valuable data and insights obtained from the flight test program will play a crucial role in shaping the design of Electra’s upcoming 9-passenger commercial eSTOL aircraft. The goal is to have this aircraft enter commercial service under FAA Part 23 regulations by 2028.
Electra’s innovative blown-lift design harnesses the power of eight electric motors to drastically enhance wing lift, revolutionizing short takeoff and landing capabilities. This groundbreaking technology enables access to remote locations previously only reachable by helicopters.
Moreover, the integration of quiet electric motors significantly reduces noise and emissions, ensuring environmentally friendly operations. Additionally, the hybrid-electric power system extends the aircraft’s range without the dependency on ground-based charging stations.
“Today’s milestone is an incredible achievement as we’ve proven that our eSTOL aircraft has the capability to do what we said it could do – operate from spaces shorter than 300 feet,” said JP Stewart, Electra Vice President and General Manager. “The aircraft handling at low speeds has been exceptional and is matching our analysis well, building confidence in the predicted capability of the 9-passenger product design. We’ll continue to develop our technologies, including the “thrust-by-wire” flight control system, to allow us to fly even slower on approach and further improve the STOL takeoff and landing performance in the ongoing test campaign.”
