Electra

KinectAir says that its network of Part 135 operators could jointly acquire and operate up to 30 of the nine-passenger hybrid-electric aircraft, which need just 300 feet to takeoff and land.

Under a Strategic Funding Increase, the Afrwerx innovation unit is making up to $85 million available to support the Virginia-based start-up's efforts to build and fly a full-scale preproduction model.

The operator signed a letter of intent to add 32 of Electra's eSTOL aircraft to its private charter fleet to serve customers mainly in Europe and Latin America.

The new operator says the model's short-takeoff-and-landing capability and range of 800 miles will mean it can reach anywhere in Korea from its base at Seongnam City, near the capital, Seoul.

Testing of the 150-kW propulsion system paves the way for flight testing of a nine-seat eSTOL vehicle.

The merged company will focus on hybrid-electric propulsion to start, but wants to eventually build hydrogen-powered aircraft.

Electra is working on plans for a hybrid-electric eSTOL aircraft that could enter service from 2026 with a range of up to 500 miles.

The U.S. company is completing development of the hybrid-electric powertrain it intends to fly on a two-seat technology demonstrator by the end of 2022, en route to type certification in 2026.

Singapore-based Yugo offers charter flights in aircraft flown by partner operators, including on business jets, and now plans to add Electra's eSTOL aircraft to its inventory.

Electra's blown-wing, hybrid-electric eSTOL aircraft is being designed to operate from landing strips as short as 300 feet.