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Electra’s Hybrid-Electric Test Aircraft Achieves First Ultra-Short eSTOL Takeoff and Landing in Piloted Test Flights

  • July 25, 2024
  • 4 min read
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Electra’s Hybrid-Electric Test Aircraft Achieves First Ultra-Short eSTOL Takeoff and Landing in Piloted Test Flights


Electra’s eSTOL test aircraft took off in less than 170 ft and landed in under 114 ft ground roll, demonstrating the STOL capability to operate from spaces shorter than 300 ft

 Electra’s eSTOL technology demonstrator aircraft took off in less than 170 ft and landed in under 114 ft ground roll.

Electra has successfully achieved the first high-performance ultra-short flight operations of its piloted blown-lift hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) demonstrator aircraft (EL-2 Goldfinch). 

“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,” said JP Stewart, Electra Vice President and General Manager. “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.” 

The test flights, piloted by Cody Allee, took place through April and May 2024 at the Manassas Regional Airport and Warrenton-Fauquier Airport in Virginia. The longest flight lasted 1 hour 43 minutes. During the campaign, the aircraft took off in less than 170 ft and landed in under 114 ft ground roll, the aircraft reached an altitude of 6,500 feet, and it flew as slowly as 25 kts on takeoff and landing. Data and insights gained from the flight test program will inform the design of Electra’s 9-passenger commercial eSTOL aircraft, with entry into commercial service under FAA Part 23 regulations targeted for 2028.  

 

Electra’s blown-lift design uses eight electric motors to significantly increase wing lift, allowing the eSTOL aircraft to take off and land in just 1/10th of the space needed by conventional aircraft. This enables access to locations that today only helicopters can reach. Quiet electric motors dramatically reduce noise and emissions for community-friendly operations. Hybrid-electric power provides long-range capability without the need for ground-based charging stations.

Buddy Sessoms Named Product Chief Engineer for Electra’s Commercial eSTOL Aircraft

Electra has appointed aviation industry veteran Buddy Sessoms as Product Chief Engineer to lead the development of Electra’s nine-passenger electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) production aircraft. In this role, Sessoms will ensure a customer-focused approach to Electra’s eSTOL aircraft, designed to meet the growing demand for cost-effective, sustainable urban and regional air travel.

 

Sessoms joins Electra with over three decades of experience in product development for Piper Aircraft, Eclipse Aerospace, Sensenich Propellers, and Pratt & Whitney. As Chief Product Officer and Chief Engineer at Piper Aircraft, Sessoms led the conceptual design, flight sciences, and test operations for the Piper M600 and M700. He also helped validate the products designed under his leadership as both test pilot and flight test engineer, including flight testing the Eclipse EA500, PiperJet, and M600 aircraft. 

 

“Buddy brings a great depth of experience in leading aircraft development initiatives, guiding them from concept to certification and sustainment. He has a track record of creating products that are not only innovative but also inherently manufacturable and commercially viable,” said JP Stewart, Vice President and General Manager of Electra. “We’re thrilled to have Buddy join the Electra team. His expertise will be instrumental as we ramp up the development of our production aircraft, leveraging the insight gained from the ongoing flight test program of our eSTOL two-seat technology demonstrator aircraft.” 

 

Sessoms earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Central Florida. He is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. He is also a former Federal Aviation Administration Designated Engineering Representative and Organization Designation Authorization Unit Member.

 

Electra is developing a low-emissions, quiet eSTOL aircraft that delivers the performance of a helicopter with the safety and economics of conventional fixed-wing aircraft. The production aircraft will carry up to nine passengers or 2,500 pounds of cargo for up to 500 miles, offering a sustainable transport alternative to cars and traditional aircraft for short and medium distance routes. Electra holds letters of intent from over 50 customers for more than 2,000 eSTOL aircraft, representing over $8 billion in market demand. Certification and entry into service of the product aircraft is expected in 2028 under FAA Part 23 regulation.

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