Electra Unveils EL9: Revolutionary Ultra-eSTOL Aircraft for UAM and More

There are more solutions than obstacles, Nicolas Zart

Electra has unveiled its groundbreaking EL9, a nine-passenger hybrid-electric aircraft with ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) capabilities. The company calls it “just a plane”, which is set to revolutionize regional air travel. The EL9 combines distributed electric propulsion with Electra’s proprietary blown-wing technology, enabling takeoffs and landings in as little as 150 feet of runway.

Innovative Design and eSTOL Performance

The EL9 boasts impressive specifications:

• Capacity: 9 passengers with baggage or 3,000 pounds of cargo
• Range: 330 nautical miles (passenger/cargo), 1,100 nautical miles (ferry)
• Cruise speed: 175 knots
• Takeoff and landing distance: As short as 150 feet

Electra’s CEO, Marc Allen, emphasizes the EL9’s versatility: “With the EL9, we’re redefining how people and cargo move through direct aviation, bringing air mobility closer to where we live, work, and play”. Our last talks with Marc Ausman, Chief Product Officer of the company revealed that the eSTOL’s performance can best eVTOL operations stretching our definition of what a vertiport should be. More to follow on this.

Electra’s Edge eSTOL Technology

The EL9 incorporates several cutting-edge features:

• Hybrid-electric propulsion system with four independent battery packs
• Small turbine-powered generator driving eight electric motors
• Fly-by-wire controls with Safe single-pilot technology
• IFR certification and known icing conditions capabilities

This means the EL9 can operate during foggy and icy conditions at night, opening a wide case use for AAM with urban Air Mobility (UAM) and regional air mobility. The eSTOL should be able to operate on some vertiport with enough space to accommodate its very short take-off and landing capabilities. To date, the company has flown its Goldfinch prototype for more than 60 hours.

Market Potential and Certification

Electra has secured over 2,100 orders for the EL9 from 52 operators worldwide, representing more than $8 billion in market value. The company aims for FAA Part 23 certification, with first test flights planned for 2027 and service entry anticipated in 2029. This is also another key point the company has been highlighting for several years, certifying an eSTOL will be easier than an eVTOL. The reason behind this is that the governing authorities are more familiar with an airplane fuselage and wings than eVTOL’s inherent design.

Environmental Impact

The EL9’s hybrid-electric design offers significant environmental benefits, including lower emissions, operations from airports and multi-ports, and reduced noise pollution compared to conventional aircraft. As our AAM industry evolves, Electra’s EL9 stands at the forefront of early operations with an efficient, versatile, and environmentally friendly design ideally fit for urban and regional air travel.

Further reading: AIN