Electric CTOL Delivered to First Customer Ahead of Route Testing - Scitke

2 8 — This ALIA CX300 electric conventional take-off and landing aircraft has kicked off Norway’s Test Arena for Zero & Low Emission Aviation after completing a weeks-long tour of major European countries
BETA Technologies

BETA Technologies has officially handed over its ALIA CX300 electric conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) aircraft to its first customer. The short-range passenger plane will now be tested for potential zero-emission routes and operational use cases in the Nordic region.

Unlike the company’s A250 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) model, the ALIA CX300 requires a runway for take-off and landing. The aircraft carries five passengers plus a pilot and uses an electric motor to drive a single rear-mounted five-blade propeller.The aircraft’s battery system offers a range of over 300 nautical miles, with recharging sessions of about one hour between flights.

Proving Its Capabilities

Earlier this year, the ALIA CX300 completed its first passenger flight, traveling from Long Island to John F. Kennedy International Airport in a 45-minute journey. BETA Technologies has now delivered the first unit to Bristow Norway AS, part of the U.S.-based Bristow Group.

The handover at Stavanger Airport in Rogaland County concluded a 6,976-km (4,335-mile) demonstration tour through seven European countries, starting in Ireland and ending in Norway. This delivery also marks the launch of operations at Norway’s Test Arena for Zero & Low Emission Aviation.

?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas Brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9d%2Ff0%2F94c800894542973849c2645e5441%2Falia Delivery In Norway Event — The ALIA CX300 electric CTOL has been delivered to Stavanger Airport, and to BETA’s first customer, Bristow Norway
BETA Technologies

At the launch event, a BETA-trained Bristow pilot conducted the first test flight after completing training at BETA’s Vermont headquarters. Over the next six months, Bristow pilots and maintenance teams will carry out further flights in collaboration with Avinor and the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway as part of a “regulatory sandbox” program.

Initial test routes will connect Stavanger and Bergen airports, with potential expansion to other regional routes later this year.

Industry Impact and Future Goals

Shawn Hall, BETA’s Chief Revenue Officer, said, “This marks a big moment for BETA. “Bristow has been with us from the very beginning, and Norway’s innovative mindset makes it the perfect setting to advance this technology. Delivering the ALIA to a customer is a major achievement, but it’s also just the starting point for what’s next in sustainable aviation.

Read the original article on: New Atlas