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Electra Completes First Flight of Hybrid-Electric STOL Design

The journey lasted 23 minutes and covered about 30 miles at 3,200 feet in altitude, taking off from the runway at ‘neighborhood driving’ speeds.

Monday, November 20, 2023 at 04:51 PM ET

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Electra’s Goldfinch eSTOL demonstrator soars over the Virginia countryside, powered by a small turbogenerator and batteries. [Courtesy: Electra.aero]

Key Takeaways:

Electra.aero's EL-2 Goldfinch demonstrator, a hybrid-electric ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft, successfully completed its inaugural hybrid-electric flight in Virginia.
The Goldfinch utilizes a unique blown-lift aerodynamic design with distributed electric propulsion, enabling it to take off and land in extremely short distances (as little as 300 feet) from small airfields.
Designed for regional travel (50-500 miles), the fixed-wing eSTOL offers benefits like reduced emissions and noise, extended range, and lower operating costs compared to traditional or eVTOL aircraft.
Electra.aero is developing a 9-passenger commercial model, with over 1,700 preorders, and is collaborating with the U.S. Air Force on a prototype for defense applications.

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The American goldfinch is no stranger to U.S. skies: The little yellow creature is the state bird of Iowa, New Jersey, and Washington. But this month in Virginia, a different, much larger species of Goldfinch flew for the first time.

Aircraft manufacturer Electra.aero’s EL-2 Goldfinch demonstrator pays homage to its namesake’s golden hue. Unlike a bird, however, the hybrid-electric ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft took off from the runway like a conventional plane once on Nov. 11 and again on Sunday, marking its inaugural flights.

Jack Daleo

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.