Electra’s Ultra Short Hybrid-Electric Aircraft “Welcomed NASA Administrator Bill Nelson Aboard For Flight During HQ Visit”
Electra Aero welcomed aboard its EL2 Goldfinch Ultra Short prototype hybrid-electric aircraft, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, for a flight during his recent visit to the company’s HQ, reports a press release.
This marked the first ever trip by a U.S government agency head on a next-generation Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft. Nelson experienced, firsthand, the aircraft’s unique ability to take off and land in soccer field-sized spaces to make sustainable point-to-point travel a reality.
The release explains, “The 24-minute flight on Electra’s two-seat fixed-wing aircraft showcased its Ultra Short capabilities, completing a series of takeoffs and landings with just 150 ft of ground roll made possible by Electra’s proprietary blown-lift technology.”
Electra Chief Test Pilot Cody Allee (l) and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson (r) flew from Electra’s headquarters in Manassas, VA (Credit: Mark Usciak for Electra)
It continues, “The flight demonstrated both hybrid-electric and quiet battery-only operations, with an acoustic signature of just 55 dB at 500 feet, the equivalent of a normal conversation. Electra Chief Test Pilot, Cody Allee, piloted the aircraft during the December 8th flight, departing from Electra’s headquarters at Manassas Regional Airport.”
Nelson enthused, “Flying aboard this new technology is an inspiring example of how innovation and determination can redefine what’s possible in aviation. Advancements in hybrid-electric flight are a critical part of the aviation industry’s transformation toward cleaner, quieter, and more accessible air transportation.”
Marc Allen, Electra CEO, added, “We’re honoured to have Administrator Nelson experience the groundbreaking performance of our prototype aircraft firsthand, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with NASA to advance the future of aviation.”
The release continues, “The EL2 Goldfinch serves as a testbed for Electra’s distributed electric propulsion system and blown-lift technology, which are being scaled up for the company’s nine-passenger EL9 Ultra Short aircraft. With more than 2,100 orders already placed for the EL9, Electra is leading the charge to bring sustainable air travel closer to where we live, work and play.”
Administrator Nelson experienced Ultra Short takeoffs and landings with 150 ft of ground roll. (Credit: Mark Usciak for Electra)
Adding, “Electra was also recently selected to develop aircraft concepts and technologies for next-generation commercial airliners under NASA’s Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability (AACES) 2050 initiative.”
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(Top image: The NASA Administrator is the first U.S Government agency head to fly on an AAM aircraft – Credit: Electra)
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