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Electra Completes First Flight of Hybrid-Electric STOL Design

The journey lasted 23 minutes and covered about 30 miles at 3,200 feet in altitude, taking off from the runway at ‘neighborhood driving’ speeds.

Monday, November 20, 2023 at 04:51 PM ET

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Electra’s Goldfinch eSTOL demonstrator soars over the Virginia countryside, powered by a small turbogenerator and batteries. [Courtesy: Electra.aero]

Key Takeaways:

Electra.aero's EL-2 Goldfinch, a hybrid-electric ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) demonstrator aircraft, successfully completed its inaugural hybrid-electric flight in Virginia.
The Goldfinch utilizes innovative blown-lift technology and a hybrid-electric propulsion system, enabling it to take off and land on runways as short as 150-300 feet while significantly reducing emissions and noise compared to traditional aircraft or eVTOL designs.
This fixed-wing eSTOL design is intended to provide a more practical and affordable solution for regional air travel (50-500 miles) and cargo logistics, with Electra.aero already securing substantial preorders for its planned nine-passenger commercial model and a development contract with the U.S. Air Force.

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The American goldfinch is no stranger to U.S. skies: The little yellow creature is the state bird of Iowa, New Jersey, and Washington. But this month in Virginia, a different, much larger species of Goldfinch flew for the first time.

Aircraft manufacturer Electra.aero’s EL-2 Goldfinch demonstrator pays homage to its namesake’s golden hue. Unlike a bird, however, the hybrid-electric ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft took off from the runway like a conventional plane once on Nov. 11 and again on Sunday, marking its inaugural flights.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.