Electra's eSTOL Aircraft Will Operate From Just 300 Feet of Runway

Electra Unveils Blown-lift eSTOL Technology Demonstrator

Electra is preparing to start flight testing a technology demonstrator for its nine-passenger, hybrid-electric, ultra-short-takeoff-and landing aircraft.

Electra employees in hangar with its eSTOL technology demonstrator aircraft. — Electra unveiled a technology demonstrator for its eSTOL aircraft. (Image: AIN/Kerry Lynch)

By Charles Alcock • Managing Editor

By Kerry Lynch • Editor, AIN monthly magazine

June 13, 2023

Electra Aero has built a technology demonstrator vehicle that it will use to complete the development of its hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft. During an event on Monday attended by some 200 guests at its headquarters in Manassas, Virginia, the company revealed the two-seat model, which it says is the world’s first blown-lift aircraft powered by distributed electric propulsion.

Flight testing is expected to start in the third quarter to track performance that will help Electra’s engineers complete the design of the nine-passenger production aircraft that could also be used to carry 2,500 pounds of freight. The company is aiming to produce an aircraft with exceptional short takeoff and landing performance that will be able to operate from landing surfaces of little more than 300 feet and fly routes of around 400 nm at a cruise speed of 175 knots. If operated from longer runways up to 1,000 feet, payload and range could be increased.

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