<p>Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.</p>


Science & Technology Editor

<p>Beta Technologies, an electric aerospace start-up and eVTOL developer based in Vermont, has opened a research and development facility in Montréal, the company announced Wednesday. The facility is at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport in Dorval, a suburban city on the island of Montréal in Quebec province.&nbsp;</p>
<p>More than 50 employees have been hired at the new engineering hub, which opened in late 2022, and&nbsp;Beta plans to significantly increase the size of its workforce at the location&nbsp;this year, a company spokesperson told <strong>FutureFlight</strong>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>“With its deep aerospace engineering pedigree, Montréal has always been part of Beta’s long-term plan,” said Kyle Clark, the company’s founder and CEO. “Electrifying aviation is a big and important problem to solve, and it’s going to take a lot of really smart people to get there. We have already added a highly skilled team to our ranks in Montréal, and we look forward to continuing to tap into the wealth of experience and talent in the region as we grow.”&nbsp;</p>
<p>Beta says the new facility will focus on structural engineering and materials processing, supporting the ongoing development and certification of Beta’s all-electric <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/aircraft-program/beta-evtol?model=alia">Alia-250 eVTOL</a> aircraft. The Montréal-based team “will primarily work on advanced design, flight sciences, flight controls, and data science to support the design, certification, and manufacturing of the aircraft's structure,” the company said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>
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            <div class="field field--name-field-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Beta's Alia-250 eVTOL aircraft prototype is pictured in flight. (Photo: Beta Technologies)</div>
      
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<figcaption>Beta's Alia-250 eVTOL aircraft prototype is pictured in flight. (Photo: Beta Technologies)</figcaption>
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<p>In addition to its six-seat eVTOL aircraft, Beta has been developing a <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-09-13/new-beta-app-gives-access-growing-network-electric-vehicle-charging">network of charging stations</a> at airports across the U.S. to support the eventual operations of electric aircraft. The company has also used these charging stations to recharge its Alia-250 prototype during <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-12-19/beta-makes-second-cross-country-evtol-flight-charging-infrastructure">cross-country demonstration flights</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Beta aims to achieve FAA&nbsp;type certification for the Alia-250 eVTOL aircraft in 2024. The company is primarily focused on cargo applications for the aircraft, but it also plans to offer commercial air taxi services for passengers. It holds purchase agreements with the shipping provider <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-04-07/ups-commits-operating-betas-alia-evtol-aircraft-package-deliveries">UPS</a> as well as <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2020-12-15/united-therapeutics-digs-deep-back-longer-range-evtol-aircraft">United Therapeutics</a>, which intends to use the aircraft to transport human organs bound for transplant surgeries. Other customers include <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-04-13/blade-orders-20-beta-alia-aircraft-air-mobility-services">Blade Urban Air Mobility</a>, helicopter operator <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-08-09/bristow-orders-55-betas-alia-250-evtol-aircraft">Bristow</a>, and aircraft leasing group <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-04-27/lessor-lci-places-deposits-125-betas-alia-250-evtol-aircraft">LCI</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


Hanneke Weitering

Beta's new research and development facility is located at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport. (Photo: Beta)

Beta Technologies Opens R&D Facility in Montréal

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