MANASSAS, Va., Sept. 7,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Electra.aero, Inc. ("Electra"),
a next-gen aerospace company with a mission to help decarbonize
aviation and open new air transportation markets, has successfully
completed a fully integrated test of the proprietary
hybrid-electric propulsion system for its low-carbon emissions,
electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft, moving Electra
closer to leveraging its hybrid engine technology to significantly
reduce aircraft emissions, noise, and operating costs.
Hybrid-electric propulsion is Electra's
first step on a path to zero-emissions air mobility.
The hybrid system is being integrated into Electra's piloted
technology demonstrator aircraft, to demonstrate and test Electra's
eSTOL ultra-short takeoff and landing performance and fuel burn
savings. The technology was first developed for Electra's
9-passenger eSTOL aircraft and will later be scaled to larger
aircraft.
Hybrid-electric propulsion is Electra's first step on a path to
zero-emissions air mobility, used initially as it is the only
sustainable technology that can meet range requirements for the
regional air mobility market. Electra's eSTOL aircraft is designed
so that hydrogen and battery-electric propulsion systems can be
used in the future when those technologies are commercially viable.
To support these long-range goals, Electra is exploring green
hydrogen with its partner Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG), the leading
provider of hydrogen fuel cell turnkey solutions.
"Tightly coupling airframe and propulsion systems is the
hallmark of Electra's unique and scalable approach to providing
net-zero emissions for regional and transport-category aircraft by
2050," noted JP Stewart, Electra's VP and General Manager.
"Electra's eSTOL aircraft uses this patent-pending technology for
the urban and regional aircraft market, allowing a reduction of the
5 billion tons of CO2 created by inefficient ground
transport in personal cars every year."
Testing of the hybrid-electric system took place at Electra's
propulsion development facility in Switzerland. Electra's hybrid system uses a
combination of high-power battery packs and a turbogenerator to
power eight electric motors and propellers.
About Electra.aero
Electra.aero, Inc. is a next-gen aerospace company leading the
way in sustainable urban and regional mobility. The company is
building clean, hybrid-electric, ultra-short takeoff and landing
(eSTOL) airplanes that fly people and cargo quieter, further, and
more affordably. Electra's technology delivers 2.5x the payload and
10X longer range with 70% lower operating costs than vertical
takeoff alternatives with much less certification risk, proving
that climate friendly technology can also be cost-effective.
Electra's team includes some of the most respected and successful
entrepreneurs and engineers in novel aircraft design, and its
technology development is supported by NASA, the US Air Force, and
a coalition of private investors.
Media
Barbara
Zadina
+1.202.997.9632
Zadina.barbara@electra.aero
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SOURCE Electra Aero