Electra Unveils EL9 Hybrid-Electric Aircraft design
The US-based Electra.aero (Electra) has recently unveiled the design of its EL9 Ultra-Short hybrid-electric aircraft, a nine-passenger piloted aircraft designed to revolutionise regional air mobility.
Following more than a year of successful flight tests with the EL2 Goldfinch two-seat prototype, the company is now moving into the development phase of the EL9.
Aircraft specification
The EL9 aircraft features an advanced hybrid-electric propulsion system and ultra-short take-off and landing capabilities.
It is equipped with a small turbine-powered generator and four independent battery packs, which drive eight electric motors distributed along its wings to generate high lift at low speeds.
In addition, the hybrid-electric power system recharges its batteries during flight, eliminating the need for ground-based charging infrastructure.
The aircraft can cruise at 175 knots and carry up to nine passengers or 3,000 pounds of cargo over a range of 330 nautical miles, with a maximum ferry range of 1,100 nautical miles.
Furthermore, the EL9’s innovative hybrid-electric propulsion system employs blown lift technology, enabling the aircraft to take off and land in spaces as small as 150 feet—equivalent to the size of a football field.
This capability expands the range of potential operating locations to include regional airports, grass fields, and even parking lots, creating opportunities for point-to-point regional connectivity.
Sustainable regional travel
Marc Allen, CEO of Electra, highlighted the broader implications of the EL9’s introduction.
“This aircraft is more than a new design—it’s the gateway to a cleaner, quieter, and more affordable future for regional travel,” he said.
“With the EL9, we’re not just making sustainable aviation a reality, we’re redefining how people and cargo move through Direct Aviation, a new category of safe and seamless travel that brings air mobility closer to where we live, work, and play.”
The EL9 will be certified for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations and flight into known icing conditions, meeting stringent regulatory standards.
Additionally, the aircraft will feature Electra’s Safe Single Pilot technology, allowing for precision landings with a single operator.
Electra reports strong demand for the EL9, with over 2,100 orders from 52 operators worldwide, representing a projected market value exceeding $8 billion.
Test flights are scheduled to begin in 2027, with certification and service entry targeted for 2029 under FAA Part 23 regulations.
Furthermore, in 2023, Electra became a partner of VPorts’ AAM World Integrator Centre in Dubai, supporting the company’s efforts to expand its presence and expertise within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market.