FutureFlight
Electra Takes the Short Takeoff and Landing Path to Advanced Air Mobility
The startup aims to have a six-seat, hybrid electric aircraft in service by the end of 2026.
Electra eSTOL
Electra is developing a hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing aircraft that will only require between 100 and 300 feet to operate from. (Image: Electra)

Electra is betting that what it says will be leading-edge short takeoff and landing performance will prove to be more cost-effective than full VTOL capability as it steps up the development of its hybrid-electric STOL aircraft. The U.S. startup is seeking to begin flight testing a sub-scale, two-seat technology demonstrator during 2021 as it works towards anticipated type certification for a six-seat production aircraft in 2026.

The company was founded in early 2020 by unmanned aircraft pioneer John Langford, whose Aurora Flight Sciences company was acquired by Boeing in 2017. He says that funding from a small group of initial backers and seed-round support from an undisclosed investor have provided sufficient funds to complete the technology demonstrator stage of the program.