Electra’s EL-2 Goldfinch demonstrator sits outside NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. [Courtesy: Electra]
Key Takeaways:
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson will fly in Electra's hybrid-electric EL-2 Goldfinch, an experimental aircraft prototype known for its ultra-short takeoffs and landings using blown-lift propulsion.
This flight is part of NASA's Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability (AACES) 2050 program, aimed at developing core technologies for a new generation of all-electric commercial airliners to decarbonize aviation.
Data from Nelson's flight and subsequent tests will help refine Electra's designs for larger airframes, contributing to the development of green, low-cost commercial aircraft like their anticipated nine-passenger EL9 model.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson is putting his money where his mouth is.
The space agency on Thursday said the 82-year-old Nelson will take a ride in manufacturer Electra’s EL-2 Goldfinch—a hybrid-electric, experimental aircraft prototype designed to take off and land within soccer field-sized spaces.
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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.
