Electra’s hybrid-electric aircraft, the EL-2 Goldfinch, has successfully completed its first piloted ultra-short eSTOL takeoff and landing. It was piloted by Cody Allee, and took off from the Manassas Regional Airport and Warrenton-Fauquier Airport in Virginia, lasting 103 minutes.
The aircraft required less than 170 ft to take off and landed in under 114 ft ground roll, reaching an altitude of 6,500 feet. It flew as slowly as 25 knots on takeoff and landing. Data and insights collected from this flight test program will inform the design of Electra’s 9-passengercommercial eSTOL aircraft, with is set to enter commercial service under FAA Part 23 regulations targeted by 2028.
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Today’s milestone is an incredible achievement as we’ve proven that our eSTOL aircraft has the capability to do what we said it could do – operate from spaces shorter than 300 feet. The aircraft handling at low-speeds has been exceptional and is matching our analysis well, building confidence in the predicted capability of the 9-passenger product design. We’ll continue to develop our technologies, including the ‘thrust-by-wire’ flight control system to allow us to fly even slower on approach and further improve the STOL takeoff and landing performance in the ongoing test campaign,” said JP Stewart, Electra Vice President and General Manager.
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