Electra’s EL-2 Goldfinch demonstrator sits outside NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. [Courtesy: Electra]
Key Takeaways:
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson will fly Electra's EL-2 Goldfinch, a hybrid-electric experimental aircraft capable of ultra-short takeoffs and landings.
NASA awarded Electra a contract under its AACES 2050 program to develop core technology for future all-electric commercial airliners and to advance aviation decarbonization.
The Goldfinch utilizes a unique blown-lift propulsion system, and data from Nelson's flight will help refine designs for Electra's planned nine-passenger commercial aircraft.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson is putting his money where his mouth is.
The space agency on Thursday said the 82-year-old Nelson will take a ride in manufacturer Electra’s EL-2 Goldfinch—a hybrid-electric, experimental aircraft prototype designed to take off and land within soccer field-sized spaces.
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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.
