Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Hanneke Weitering

Read the latest news about Beta Technologies.

Beta Technologies has rolled out the second Alia CX300 electric aircraft from its scaled manufacturing facility in Burlington, Vermont, the company announced on March 4. Later this year, Beta will ship that aircraft off to Norway for a series of flight demonstrations to be conducted by helicopter operator Bristow Norway, a subsidiary of its partner and customer <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-06-18/bristow-shares-its-thinking-early-evtol-aircraft-use-cases">Bristow Group</a>.
Bristow Norway will use the Alia aircraft to ferry cargo between Stavanger Airport and Bergen Airport starting in the third quarter this year, according to Beta. Initial demonstration flights at Stavanger Airport expected to begin in late summer.&nbsp;
The Alia CX300 aircraft heading to Norway this year—registered N214BT—has already received special airworthiness certification from the FAA for day/night VFR/IFR operations. The aircraft will need to log 50 hours of flight time before it can earn the FAA market survey certificate required for demonstration flights and training flights with customers.&nbsp;
Beta expects to obtain FAA type certification for the Alia CX300 electric airplane this year, followed by the Alia 250 eVTOL model in 2026, and EASA is expected to subsequently validate those approvals for commercial operations in Europe. Both versions of the Alia aircraft can carry up to five passengers plus one pilot or 1,250 pounds of cargo. Beta’s CX300 prototype has demonstrated a range of up to 336 nm on a single charge in flight testing, whereas the Alia 250 eVTOL model has a projected range of 250 nm.&nbsp;
<h2>Alia Will Fly in Norway’s “International Test Arena”&nbsp;</h2>
The Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA Norway) and Avinor, the country’s state-owned airport operator and air navigation service provider, have been working together for the past year or so on plans to turn Norway into an “international test arena for zero- and low-emission aviation.” Developed in collaboration with EASA, this so-called “regulatory sandbox” would give operators, regulators, and other stakeholders hands-on experience with new types of aircraft, such as electric air taxis, before they enter service.&nbsp;
“We will learn how regulations and frameworks need to evolve to enable new technologies and concepts. Through this, we will build the necessary expertise early on for the solutions of tomorrow,” Lars Kobberstad, Norway’s director general of civil aviation, said in a statement.&nbsp;
“Avinor’s role is to facilitate the infrastructure at airports and make the airspace available for actors who wish to test various zero- and low-emission aircraft in an operational environment,” said Karianne Helland Strand, Avinor’s executive vice president for sustainability, concept, and infrastructure development. “We seek more knowledge about what different technologies and aircraft require in terms of airport facilities and necessary energy supply needs.”
On December 10, CAA Norway and Avinor signed a letter of intent with Beta and Bristow to begin developing a concept of operations for cargo flight demonstrations within that “regulatory sandbox.” Representatives from Beta, Bristow, CAA Norway, and Avinor formalized their flight demonstration plans with a signing ceremony at Bergen Airport on March 4.
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img">
<img alt="(From left) Bristow executive v-p and chief transformation officer David Stepanek, Beta’s Niels Espen Arentzen, CAA Norway director general of civil aviation Lars Kobberstad, and Karianne H. Strand, Avinor’s executive vice president for sustainability, concept, and infrastructure development" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="84a17b83-959a-4c45-9a92-f506d1a69726" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/trippelhandshake_kredCathrineFramholt.jpeg" width="640" height="427" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>(From left) Bristow executive v-p and chief transformation officer David Stepanek, Beta’s Niels Espen Arentzen, CAA Norway director general of civil aviation Lars Kobberstad, and Karianne H. Strand, Avinor’s executive vice president for sustainability, concept, and infrastructure development</figcaption>
</figure>

<h2>Avinor Seeks Charger Bids</h2>
In January, Avinor announced a tender competition for electric aircraft chargers that will need to be in place at Stavanger Airport and Bergen Airport before the Alia can begin its demonstration flights in Norway’s test arena. The airport planning agency intends to procure a permanent charging station to be installed at Stavanger Airport by June 1. In Bergen, Avinor wants to rent a battery-powered mobile charging unit to be delivered by August 15.
Beta, which manufactures chargers in addition to its electric aircraft, is competing for that contract. Given that it has already built <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-01-07/betas-aircraft-charging-network-doubled-2024">a nationwide charging network</a> in the U.S. consisting of both permanent and mobile chargers, Beta would appear to be a top contender. However, Avinor has indicated that it might prefer a domestic supplier—while acknowledging that no Norwegian companies are currently producing chargers that meet the requirements.
“Avinor wants to involve the Norwegian supplier industry and get more charging players on board through the test arena project,” said Anders Kirsebom, acting CEO of Avinor. “The electrification of the car fleet in Norway has contributed to the design of many innovative solutions for charging various vehicles by Norwegian players. Avinor hopes to see the same innovative capability in this procurement and that we receive many offers, even though no one has a finished solution today.”
<h2>U.S. Coast-to-Coast Flight</h2>
Earlier this week, Beta reported that another "production-intent" example of the CX300 aircraft completed a journey from its flight test center at Plattsburgh in upstate New York to Santa Monica Municipal Airport in California. The 3,064-nm trip involved flights in VFR and IFR day and night conditions conducted under special airworthiness certification issued by the FAA.
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img">
<img alt="Beta CX300 aircraft" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9c2a6206-632b-44d0-a402-207bf0dbe21c" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/916LF%20Road%20Show%202025_0277.JPG" width="6531" height="4354" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Beta test pilots flew a CX300 electric aircraft from upstate New York to California with stops in 11 states.</figcaption>
</figure>

After leaving Plattsburgh, the CX300 made stops at state and municipal airports in Ohio, Indiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada en route to California. The electric aircraft's visits sparked considerable curiosity among local people at these airports.
Test pilots Nate Dubie and Noah Ranallo took turns flying the CX300. A small Beta road crew also made the trip to provide maintenance support and log flight data.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Beta Rolls Out Alia CX300 Electric Airplane Bound for Norway

Demonstration flights over Norway could begin this summer

Beta Technologies has rolled out the second Alia CX300 electric airplane from its factory in Vermont. Later this year, Beta will ship the aircraft to Norway.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Globally, business jet departures were down a percentage point

Global Bizjet Flights Dip in February

Neelam Mathews

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

The e200 aircraft should have a range of up to around 60 nm

India’s ePlane Set To Start Flight Testing Two-seat eVTOL Aircraft

Charles Alcock

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Lilium, Volocopter, and Airbus all now appear to be out of the advanced air mobility running

Cash Crunch Forces Consolidation among eVTOL Contenders

Chad Trautvetter

Activity buoyed by Asia-Pacific, South America, and Africa as Europe and North America see declines

Argus: Business Aircraft Flying Climbs in February

Matt Thurber

French manufacturer aims to be closer to customers in Asia

Dassault Falcon 8X Shines on BAAFEx Static Display

JetZero aims to fly a full-scale demonstrator in 2027

Delta and JetZero Partner on Blended-wing-body Airliners

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

In this article

Beta Technologies

More In Aircraft

Global Bizjet Flights Dip in February

Globally, business jet departures were down a percentage point

India’s ePlane Set To Start Flight Testing Two-seat eVTOL Aircraft

The e200 aircraft should have a range of up to around 60 nm

Cash Crunch Forces Consolidation among eVTOL Contenders

Lilium, Volocopter, and Airbus all now appear to be out of the advanced air mobility running

Argus: Business Aircraft Flying Climbs in February

Activity buoyed by Asia-Pacific, South America, and Africa as Europe and North America see declines

Dassault Falcon 8X Shines on BAAFEx Static Display

French manufacturer aims to be closer to customers in Asia

Delta and JetZero Partner on Blended-wing-body Airliners

JetZero aims to fly a full-scale demonstrator in 2027

Tariffs Threat Rippling Throughout Aviation Industry

Industry believes tariffs apply to aviation products despite earlier trade agreements

Beta’s New Alia CX300 Electric Aircraft Has Flown Coast to Coast in the U.S.

An electric CTOL aircraft will be easier to certify than an eVTOL, and has many applications.

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN