Finland to Study Hybrid-Electric ‘Ultra Short’ Aircraft

Manufacturer is also partnered with Signature Aviation to develop infrastructure for its ‘ultra short’ EL9.

Jack Daleo

Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 12:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Compact access points at rooftops, parking lots, fields, barges, malls, casinos, or ski resorts could be served by Electra’s EL9, designed for takeoffs and landings with only 150 feet. [Credit: Electra]

Key Takeaways:

Electra is developing hybrid-electric EL9 aircraft designed for ultra-short takeoffs/landings (150 ft) to enable "direct aviation" from non-airport "access points" like rooftops and parking lots.
The company has partnered with the City of Helsinki and Haaga-Helia University to study the design, demand, operating economics, and regulations for this infrastructure, focusing on efficient travel between Helsinki and Tallinn.
This initiative aims to drastically cut regional travel times by offering convenient air service on routes (50-265 miles) that currently lack reliable options or are underserved by slow ferries and traditional airport-based flights.
Electra projects its EL9 will offer significant advantages over helicopters and eVTOLs in payload, range, and operating costs, with over 2,200 letters of intent already secured.

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Hybrid-electric “ultra short” aircraft developer Electra in July partnered with FBO Signature Aviation to explore “access points” for its flagship EL9, which is designed for takeoff and landing with only 150 feet of ground roll. Now, the manufacturer is working with Finland’s capital to study the same infrastructure it plans to deploy across the U.S.

According to Electra, EL9 access points could be installed at nonairport locations, including rooftops, parking lots, fields, barges, malls, casinos, or ski resorts. Working with the city of Helsinki and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, the company plans to evaluate the design of that infrastructure as well as the potential spike in demand that the EL9 could create.