Electra Aero will soon unveil the nine-passenger version of its hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft after extensive testing of a two-seat prototype. The aircraft’s turbogenerator and eight wing-mounted electric propulsion units place it between an eVTOL and a traditional fixed-wing aircraft in performance and mission scope.

Speaking at NBAA-BACE 2024, Electra CEO Marc Allen said the aircraft can use existing fuel infrastructure, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and is not reliant on charging stations on the ground to operate.

Virginia-based Electra originally developed a turbocharger in-house but partnered with Safran in June 2023 to develop a propulsion system for the platform. The hybrid-electric system combines a gas-powered turbogenerator with battery packs, which allow for in-flight or ground charging and can be adapted for SAF or hydrogen in the future.

This technology also significantly reduces operating noise. “You’re going to see us demonstrating 75 dBAs at 300 feet and 55 dBAs at 500 feet,” said Allen, “which is quieter than a car passing by on the street, to put it into context.”

Allen was quick to clarify that this is not a powered-lift aircraft, despite its hybrid propulsion technology, takeoff roll as short as 150 feet, and steep climb ability. “This is a fixed-wing aircraft. It’s just an airplane,” he said. According to Allen, the aircraft will have a range of up to 1,100 nm, or 350 nm with a full load of passengers and cargo; its maximum payload is 2,700 pounds. Its cruise speed is about 175 knots. 

The electric propulsors mounted on the wings change aerodynamic performance and allow for lower operating speeds, with controllability at as low as 30 knots, said James “JP” Stewart, Electra's vice president and general manager. “It’s not like a catapult on an aircraft carrier. You’re talking about going from a stop to 35 miles an hour—very, very comfortable. But once you put the flaps up, your airplane is a conventional airplane. It goes 175 knots, and you can carry nine passengers.”

Fly-by-wire flight controls are an important design component for controllability during landings and at slow airspeeds. “We’ve also flown as slow as about 22 knots,” said Stewart, “and we haven’t found the stall yet. So we’ll keep giving you updates as we get slower and slower.”

The big reveal for the nine-passenger design is slated for November 13 at 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time at Manassas Regional Airport in Virginia.