Electra.aero, Inc. (Electra), a pioneering aerospace company dedicated to decarbonizing aviation and expanding new air transportation markets, has successfully completed off-runway test flights of its EL-2 Goldfinch hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) technology demonstrator aircraft. These tests were conducted from a grass field near Electra’s facility in Manassas, VA.
The EL-2 Goldfinch demonstrated its capability to operate from minimally prepared fields smaller than 300 feet, executing a series of takeoffs and landings from a grass area. The aircraft achieved a maximum performance climb-out of 32 degrees, suitable for various military missions, and operated without the need for charging infrastructure, as its batteries are charged in-flight by the hybrid propulsion system.
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This dual-use technology is designed to serve as a small, fuel-efficient, and cost-effective airlifter, supporting Agile Combat Employment and expeditionary missions while reducing the operational energy footprint. The eSTOL aircraft could also reduce the demand on larger, high-performance fixed-wing and rotorcraft platforms in contested logistics environments.
“The Electra eSTOL technologies increase the number of available landing sites by orders of magnitude relative to traditional fixed-wing aircraft while providing for higher cruise speeds, lower costs, and lower noise than vertical lift solutions. These first flights from a field demonstrate the beginnings of this strong capability that we will continue to develop,” said JP Stewart, Electra’s Vice President and General Manager.
The test campaign included acoustic data collection to validate the low-acoustic capabilities of the eSTOL technologies. The aircraft achieved quiet operations of under 55 decibels at 500 feet overflight, comparable to human conversation. At typical cruise altitudes, the aircraft will be inaudible over background noise. Future tests will involve even rougher and more confined areas.
Electra is developing a production aircraft capable of carrying nine passengers or 2,500 pounds of cargo up to 500 miles, while maintaining STOL, austere operations, and low-noise capabilities. Certification and commercial service entry under FAA Part 23 regulations are targeted for 2028.
About Electra
Electra.aero, Inc. (Electra) is a next-gen aerospace company at the forefront of sustainable urban and regional mobility. The company develops clean, hybrid-electric, short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) airplanes designed for quieter, longer, and more affordable flights for people and cargo. Electra’s technology offers 2.5 times the payload and 10 times the range of vertical takeoff alternatives, with 70% lower operating costs and less certification risk. The Electra team comprises renowned entrepreneurs and engineers with over 40 successful aircraft developed or certified. Their technology development is supported by Lockheed Martin Ventures, the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), Statkraft Ventures, and other private investors, along with contracts from NASA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Navy.
For more information, visit Electra.aero.
Source: Electra’s Hybrid eSTOL Aircraft Successfully Completes First Grass Field Test Flights
