Thursday, July 18, 2024 Electra.aero, Inc. (Electra), an innovative aerospace company focused on reducing aviation’s carbon footprint and creating new air transport markets, has successfully conducted off-runway test flights of its EL-2 Goldfinch hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) technology demonstrator aircraft.
These tests took place on a grass field near Electra’s facility in Manassas, VA. The flights showcased the eSTOL aircraft’s capability to operate from minimally prepared fields smaller than 300 feet. The aircraft executed multiple takeoffs and landings from a grass area, demonstrating a maximum performance climb-out of 32 degrees suitable for many military missions.
Additionally, the aircraft did not require charging infrastructure, as its batteries are recharged in-flight by the hybrid propulsion system. This dual-use technology is ideal for serving as a small, fuel-efficient, and cost-effective airlifter, supporting Agile Combat Employment and expeditionary missions while minimizing the operational energy footprint. Small, affordable, runway-independent eSTOL aircraft could also reduce the demand on larger, scarce high-performance fixed-wing and rotorcraft platforms in contested logistics environments.
“The Electra eSTOL technologies increase the number of available landing sites by orders of magnitude relative to traditional fixed wing aircraft while providing for higher cruise speeds, lower costs, and lower noise than vertical lift solutio.