Beta’s all-electric CX300 soars over neighboring fields near Shannon Airport (EINN) in Ireland, making its European debut. [Courtesy: Beta Technologies]
Key Takeaways:
Beta Technologies has launched a "European Grand Tour" with its all-electric CX300 production aircraft, following a successful 25-state U.S. journey.
The tour began with a historic flight in Ireland, showcasing the CX300's zero-emission operation, capacity for five passengers or 1,250 lbs of cargo, 336 nm range, and charging infrastructure.
Beta views Europe, particularly Ireland, as a strategic market due to its geography, weather, and regulatory environment, suitable for advanced air mobility.
The tour will conclude with the delivery of the CX300 to Bristow Group in Norway for initial piloted cargo flights and operational evaluations, building on Beta's established U.S. charging network.
Updated Tuesday, May 27 at 9:13 a.m. EDT to reflect that CX300 test flights in Norway will be piloted rather than uncrewed, as a previous version of this story stated.
In February and March, Beta Technologies flew its all-electric CX300 production aircraft on a six-week, 25-state, 8,000 nm barnstorm across the U.S. Now, the manufacturer is kicking off a European Grand Tour.
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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.
