Electra test pilot Cody Allee conducted a series of takeoffs, landings, and low-speed maneuvers at the Downtown Skyport in Manhattan using the company’s fixed-wing EL2 demonstrator. [Credit: Jack Daleo]
Key Takeaways:
Electra successfully demonstrated its EL2 fixed-wing aircraft performing ultra-short takeoffs and landings at Manhattan's Downtown Skyport, a heliport, marking the first time a fixed-wing airplane has operated from this restricted location.
This feat, enabled by innovative blown-lift aerodynamics and a resilient hybrid-electric propulsion system, paves the way for Electra's upcoming EL9 Ultra Short aircraft, aiming to offer helicopter-like accessibility and fixed-wing efficiency for regional "direct aviation" and defense applications from unconventional access points.
Downtown Manhattan’s piers and barges were not designed to accommodate airplanes. They are the domain of helicopters, whose vertical capabilities counteract the limited space.
But according to Electra CEO Marc Allen, Monday morning marked the “first time that a fixed-wing airplane has landed” at Manhattan’s Downtown Skyport (KJRB).
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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.
