Vermont-based Beta Technologies’ Alia CX300—an electric conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft with capacity for up to five passengers or 1,400 pounds of cargo—has landed at King County International Airport (KBFI) in Washington state, the company announced.
The CX300, one of two all-electric aircraft being developed by Beta, also took off at the airport—better known as Boeing Field—as part of a live demonstration on Tuesday. In attendance were officials from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and other state agencies, Boeing Field director John Parrott, and “industry leaders from across Washington,” Beta said.
WSDOT is one of more than 30 state transportation agencies comprising the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Multistate Collaborative, which serves as a forum to discuss policy and infrastructure requirements for electric aircraft and other new technologies.
“We’re taking action to reduce our airport’s carbon impact, and part of how we do that is by embracing new technologies like electric aircraft,” Parrott said in a statement. “We’re proud to host Beta Technologies and its Alia aircraft as a demonstration of a new era in aviation.”
Beta Stays Busy
Beta has made a point of showcasing the CX300 publicly as often as possible.
Earlier this year, for example, it completed a 25-state, 8,000 nm barnstorm across the U.S., flying in day, night, VFR, and IFR conditions. It later headed to Europe, stopping at the Paris Air Show during a “Grand Tour” en route to Norway, where customer Bristow Group is conducting flight testing.
Though it is not yet certified, the aircraft has had some impressive moments during its dress rehearsal. On its barnstorm, for example, the CX300 flew IFR into Georgia’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (KATL)—the busiest in the world. In June, it became the first electric aircraft to land with passengers at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK).
The model’s most distinctive feature is its distributed electric propulsion system, which comprises battery packs and a five-bladed fixed-pitch propeller. The batteries can be fully recharged within an hour. Per Beta, the aircraft produces 75 percent fewer emissions than a Cessna 208 while operating at a fraction of the cost.
The CX300 has a demonstrated range of 336 nm and projected cruise speed of about 135 knots. Beta envisions it handling both passenger and cargo missions.
The company is also developing the Alia A250, an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) variant that is expected to be certified after the CX300. It features a pusher propeller and four Part 35-certified vertical lift propellers specially designed by Hartzell.
Production of both models will take place at a 200,000-square-foot plant in Vermont.
In addition to aircraft, Beta is also building out a nationwide network of electric chargers. It has about 50 sites online, with the vast majority concentrated along the East Coast. However, FBO electrification agreements with Atlantic Aviation and Signature Aviation could allow it to begin expanding West.
A handful of Washington state airports have shown interest in electrifying their own terminals. Last year, six of them—including Boeing Field—applied for $10 million in grants that would cover one or two charging stations per airport.
