Electra’s Goldfinch takes flight at NASA’s Langley Research Centre
Electra.aero has begun flying at NASA’s Langley Research Centre with its EL-2 Goldfinch hybrid-electric demonstrator, marking the first time a piloted electric aircraft has taken to the skies at the facility.
The flight demonstrations of Electra’s short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft forms part of the company’s work with NASA on advanced air mobility under a Space Act Agreement. Electra is developing a 9-passenger eSTOL aircraft designed to replace short- and medium-distance vehicle trips up to 500 miles.
“NASA is an incredible institution that has developed many of the foundational technologies underpinning today’s aviation industry. They are now pioneering the future with advanced air mobility innovations,” said JP Stewart, Electra’s vice president and general manager. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with them on new technologies that will extend seamless and convenient air travel to all communities.”
The flight for NASA Langley’s research community demonstrated the eSTOL aircraft’s use of distributed electric propulsion (DEP) with blown lift technology, which is capable of taking off and landing in under 150ft (45m). It also highlighted the aircraft’s hybrid-electric capabilities for longer range potential and battery-electric flight for what Electra describes as “community-friendly” operations.
Earlier that day, Electra’s Goldfinch completed a 120 mile cross-state flight using the hybrid propulsion system from Electra’s facility in Manassas, Virginia down to Hampton in the south of the state where NASA Langley is located.
In a separate effort with NASA, Electra is working under a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project on solar-electric, high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft research known as a high-altitude platform station (HAPS). Electra has also contributed to a NASA study on connecting communities into the national transportation network through regional air mobility (RAM) using underutilised airports.
