Beta Makes First Crewed eVTOL Transition Flight

The test flight marks a key milestone for the manufacturer, which is looking to certify its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) design in the U.S. by 2026.

Jack Daleo

Friday, April 26, 2024 at 11:17 AM ET

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Beta’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) this week completed its first crewed transition from vertical lift to forward cruise. [Courtesy: Beta Technologies]

Key Takeaways:

Beta Technologies successfully completed a crewed, full transition flight of its Alia-250 eVTOL, shifting from vertical lift to fixed-wing forward cruise, a key milestone in electric aviation development.
This achievement provides crucial data for FAA type certification and is believed to be the first "out and back" transition flight, positioning Beta among a select few eVTOL companies to reach this stage.
Beta plans to initially deploy its eVTOLs with the U.S. military, followed by commercial use for cargo and passenger services, supported by a growing national network of charging stations.

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Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer Beta Technologies this week achieved a milestone few eVTOL companies have reached.

The company on Tuesday said it completed a crewed, full transition flight of its Alia-250 (A250) eVTOL, shifting from vertical lift to forward cruise on fixed wings during the same flight. The model is one of two aircraft the firm is looking to commercialize in the coming years, along with a conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) Alia variant. Over four years of flight testing, Beta says its aircraft together have now logged more than 40,000 nautical miles.