Hybrid-electric aircraft developer Electra has secured purchase commitments for up to 130 of its eSTOL vehicles from Brazil’s Flapper and Australia’s Skyportz, the companies said Monday. The deals come a little over a month after Virginai-based Electra signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with helicopter operator Bristow for 50 of the still-unnamed eSTOL machines. Electra places the value of all the commitments at more than $500 million.
Electra’s fixed-wing aircraft will initially carry up to seven passengers and a pilot or 1,800 pounds of cargo up to 500 miles in all weather conditions. Its ability to take off and land with just 100 feet of linear space allows flight operations from places previously inaccessible by air, including urban rooftops and corporate parking lots. Electra says its technology delivers two-and-a-half times the payload and 10 times more range as well as 70 percent lower operating costs than what it calls vertical takeoff alternatives.
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