Showing posts with label Electra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Electra. Show all posts

19 July, 2024

Electra's hybrid eSTOL aircraft passes first grass field test flights

Electra’s EL-2 Goldfinch eSTOL technology demonstrator requires no charging infrastructure as the batteries are charged in-flight by the hybrid propulsion system. (Photo credit: J. Langford/Electra.aero)
Electra, a next-gen aerospace company committed to decarbonizing aviation and opening new air transportation markets, has successfully completed off-runway test flights of its EL-2 Goldfinch hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) technology demonstrator aircraft from a grass field near Electra's facility in Manassas, VA.

The flights demonstrate the eSTOL aircraft's effectiveness for operating from austere fields smaller than 300 ft that are minimally prepared. The aircraft flew a series of takeoffs and landings from a grass area and demonstrated the maximum performance climb-out of 32 degrees that would be used in many military missions. It also required no charging infrastructure as the batteries are charged in-flight by the hybrid propulsion system.

The dual-use technology is ideally suited to serve as a small highly fuel-efficient and cost-effective airlifter that supports Agile Combat Employment and expeditionary missions while reducing the operational energy footprint. Small, affordable, runway-independent eSTOL aircraft could also alleviate demand on larger, few-in-number, high-performance fixed-wing and rotorcraft platforms in a contested logistics environment.

23 June, 2023

Safran signs agreement with Electra to develop turbogenerator for its hybrid-electric aircraft

Safran Helicopter Engines has signed an agreement with Electra.aero to develop the 600 kW electric turbogenerator propulsion system for the prototype of Electra's nine-passenger hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft.

This turbogenerator is an essential component of the disruptive hybrid-electric propulsion architecture for Electra's low-carbon aircraft. A turbogenerator consists of a gas turbine combined with one or more electric generators, as well as an innovative system of electrical power and voltage regulation. Safran Helicopter Engines will develop the Electra turbogenerator on the basis of its Arrano turboshaft engine and is leveraging Safran's broad expertise in electrical equipment, starting with Safran Electrical & Power, which will supply the two GENeUS electrical generators. Safran Helicopter Engines has already ground-tested several types of turbogenerators at various power levels.

"Safran Helicopter Engines is extremely proud to collaborate with Electra. We've closely evaluated the advanced air mobility market, and we believe the Electra eSTOL aircraft offers groundbreaking capability in a practical design that meets market needs of both today and tomorrow while being backed by a team with decades of experience to enable its success," said Florent Chauvancy, Safran Helicopter Engines Executive Vice-President, OEM Sales. "We will be bringing to their project all the expertise we have independently developed in the field of hybrid-electric propulsion, combining electric and thermal energy sources, to develop the right turbogenerator for Electra's first nine-passenger prototype aircraft. Our recent tests in this field are a strong indicator of success for Electra's aircraft."



"Electra has carefully studied aircraft electrification and we believe that hybrid propulsion is key to providing emissions and cost reductions while preserving useful payloads, ranges, and speeds for our customers – ultimately, building a better aircraft. The turbogenerator is the heart of this hybrid propulsion system. Safran Helicopter Engines is integrating a class-leading, modern turbine with their high efficiency generators and backing it with a strong support network. Safran's motto is Powered by Trust and we're proud to be Powered by Safran," said JP (James) Stewart, Electra's Vice-President and General Manager.

16 December, 2021

Electra and flyv to Reinvent Regional Air Travel in Europe with On-Demand Flights on Hybrid-Electric eSTOL Planes



Electra and flyv to Reinvent Regional Air Travel in Europe with On-Demand Flights on Hybrid-Electric eSTOL Planes
 
 
Electra Adds 100 New Aircraft Orders for Affordable Air Mobility Service in Underserved Mid-Range Markets


A new generation of cost-efficient hybrid-electric aircraft is making on-demand regional air travel commercially feasible. Electra.aero, a US-based clean aviation technology company and flyv, a German company creating On Demand Air Mobility solutions, have partnered to develop a revolutionary customer-centric air mobility solution that leverages the economic advantages of Electra's sustainable flight technology to offer travelers the quickest, most cost-effective route between locations in underserved regional travel markets in Europe.

Passengers will fly on Electra's hybrid-electric, ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL)aircraft, a fixed-wing plane that uses a unique combination of proven blown lift technology, hybrid-electric power, and distributed propulsion to operate on runways as small as 100x300 feet. The quiet, piloted plane delivers substantially lower emissions and operating costs than conventional aircraft. Batteries are recharged mid-flight, eliminating the need for ground charging infrastructure and enabling quick flight turnaround in diverse environments. The flyv service will initially operate between airports and eventually provide point-to-point intercity travel, taking full advantage of the Electra eSTOL's ability to take off and land in places previously inaccessible by flight.

flyv is a novel airline focused on regional air mobility. In lieu of a traditional hub and spoke network, the flyv scheduling platform uses a proprietary algorithm to optimize the daily flight schedule based on paid bookings and operational constraints. flyv will provide customers a guaranteed fixed travel timeframe to their destination at the point of booking, and exact itinerary details prior to departure.

"There is a gap in transportation services today between where ground transport is effective and where large transport aircraft are providing efficient service. We designed Electra's eSTOL aircraft to fill that gap, providing a more sustainable transport option than cars or traditional aircraft for short and medium distance routes up to about 500 miles," said John S. Langford, Founder and Chief Operating Officer (CEO) of Electra.aero. "We are delighted to be partnering with flyv to pair our aircraft technology with flyv's innovative business model and flight scheduling technology to bring this transportation solution to customers."

"Traditional airlines are focused on capacity, not on demand. We're building a new means of transport that is demand-driven and customer centric. We aim to connect unserved communities to as many other decentralized locations as possible by delivering the fastest means of transport from one point to another at market value-based prices," explained flyv Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Anton Lutz. "The economics were a challenge with conventional aircraft. The cost-effectiveness of Electra's high-performance eSTOL aircraft is the puzzle piece that makes the flyv model work. Our partnership with Electra enables a micro-mobility solution that connects the unconnected into the global aviation network in a sustainable way, creating economic opportunities for both communities and customers," said Lutz.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), flyv will be Electra's air mobility services partner in Europe, and Electra will be flyv's OEM partner for regional air mobility services in Europe and elsewhere, with a commitment by flyv to purchase of up to 100 Electra eSTOL aircraft. The agreement raises Electra's total purchase commitments to 280 aircraft. The two companies will jointly explore urban and regional networks to be served by flyv, and will collaborate on elements of eSTOL performance, economics, and passenger experience as well as joint marketing initiatives. The global urban and regional advanced air mobility market is forecast by Morgan Stanley at $1 trillion.

About flyv  

flyv is a start-up On-Demand Air Mobility airline connecting people in a demand-driven network, with a mission to connect every possible landing field in a single customer-induced web created anew every day. The company's core asset is its two algorithms: the fulfillment algorithm and the product algorithm. Together they enable optimized product offering and operationalization leading to a new approach in airline distribution and management. flyv's highly skilled  team draws from various disciplines with executive experience from Amazon, GE Aviation, Vodafone, easyJet, and Lufthansa Group,  as well as renowned scientific institutions and European airports.

About Electra.aero

Electra.aero, Inc. is a next-gen aerospace company leading the way in sustainable urban and regional mobility. The company is building clean, hybrid-electric, ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) airplanes that fly people and cargo quieter, further, and more affordably. Electra is collaborating with air transport and ground infrastructure operators to achieve a turnkey solution for diverse markets. Electra's team includes some of the most respected and successful entrepreneurs and engineers in novel aircraft design, and its technology development is supported by NASA and the US Air Force Agility Prime program.



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