There are more solutions than obstacles. Nicolas Zart
Electra Advances on Two Fronts with FAA Certification and New Defense Unit
Electra.aero is wasting no time as it diversifies the operational strategy approach of its EL9 aircraft. Moving forward with two major initiatives, it has applied for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for its electric short take-off and landing (eSTOL) aircraft and launched a new division called Electra Defense to adapt this unique plane for military use.
Another AAM Versatile Aircraft
The center of this activity is the EL9. Electra’s nine-passenger aircraft is a hybrid-electric requiring a very short runway to operate, making it a perfect fit for tight spaces. Using blown-lift, where eight electric motors blow air over and under the wings, creates massive lift at low speeds. The original prototype, the Goldfinch we previously wrote about, achieved taking off in under 100 feet, a little over 48 meters, and landing in under 150 feet (46 meters).
This design, also being worked on by other AAM aircraft designers, allows the EL9 to take off and land in spaces as short as 150 feet. This means that the aircraft can theoretically, if approved to do so, operate from parking lots, barges, or remote clearings. This also means we can now design STOLports, which are short take-off and landing runways, already in use by the military since the 1980s. These STOLports would be no more than 500 feet and also allow for a few vertipads, allowing for both electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and eSTOLs.
The EL9 uses a small turbine generator to charge its batteries during flight, allowing it to take and land quietly on electricity alone. While it does not need charging stations on the ground, it can also be recharged. One of the many advantages of eSTOLs is that they use proven and well-understood designs, making it easier for regulators to certify. Add to this their instrument flight rules (IFR) and de-icing capability, which allows eSTOLs to fly at night through certain foggy conditions.
Electra’s Commercial Progress
Electra has submitted its application for Part 23 type certification, transitioning from the design phase to the formal certification process. The company introduced what it calls “Direct Aviation” operation mode, which replaces driving to a crowded airport, where passengers can fly directly from a local airfield or business park to their destination. Bypassing traffic and saving time, Electra hopes to make the EL9 a workshop of the nascent AAM industry.
Electra GFoes on the Defensive
One of the key points for a successful startup is multitasking, and while Electra is actively working on the commercial side of its business, it is following the military aspect of its operations simultaneously. With the launch of the Electra Defense new business unit dedicated to government missions, the company hopes to offer the U.S. military more ways to move supplies and troops without relying on large, vulnerable airbases with a plane that can land anywhere.
Donn Yates, the Vice President and General Manager of Electra Defense, calls the EL9 the “sprinter van of the skies.” For those of you who have driven a Mercedes Sprinter, this is high praise if Yates is referring to this fantastic cargo van. Specifically for the military, it means the aircraft can no longer rely solely on trucks or helicopters for logistics. The EL9 can handle the “last tactical leg” of a mission, delivering people, power, and supplies right to the front lines. Ultimately, the military version of the EL9 can carry 1,000 pounds of cargo over 1,000 nautical miles. It can also act as a flying generator, providing 600 kilowatts of power to ground equipment or field hospitals.
Electra’s Strategic Partnerships and Testing
Electra completed tests with the U.S. Air Force at an event called Future Flag 25-3, during which a prototype successfully demonstrated a quiet takeoff and landing and even powered up an MQ-9 Reaper drone.
Working with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works to speed up development, the Air Force and Army to test hybrid systems, General (Ret.) Doug Brown, a co-chair of Electra’s advisory board, noted that in potential conflict zones like the Indo-Pacific, runways might be scarce or damaged. A plane that does not need a runway is a strategic advantage.
eSTOL’s Unique Philosophy of Design
The uniqueness of eSTOL designs and the EL9 is what makes them appealing to both commercial and military operations. On a recent episode of The Ways We Move podcast, Marc Ausman, Electra’s Chief Product Officer, explained the thinking behind the aircraft. He noted that decoupling the energy source from the propulsion system allows engineers to optimize the plane in ways that were impossible before. This flexibility is key to bringing the airport to the passenger rather than forcing the passenger to go to the airport.
How AAM Embraces Dual-Use
Electra’s use of “dual-use” is something the industry has turned to for many years. At Electric Air Mobility, LLC, we are positioning Portugal, a country 5 hours away from the Eastern Coast of the U.S. and hours away from the furthest reach of Europe as a central testing ground for AAM development and operations. By focusing on dual use, AAM companies can reap the benefits of commercial and military operations with the same platform, but different versions of the aircraft. By sharing common parts and designs, they lower their research and development costs, shorten their certification roadmap, and achieve greater ROI quickly. This lowers costs for everyone. Boasting over 2,200 provisional orders from commercial customers, valued at over $15 billion, this dual-use strategy means an affordable, reliable product that is easy to maintain.
AAM Back to the Future
Electra plans to begin flight testing the EL9 in 2027. Ultimately, the company positions its eSTOL as a way to visit relatives in a neighboring city, link business centers together, connect the last 100-mile freight dilemma, and resupply troops in a remote location. The operational envelope of the EL9 is sure to appeal to many use cases and redefine regional mobility.
Industry observers at ElectricAirMobility.news continue to track these developments, noting that the combination of regulatory progress and defense contracts positions Electra as a serious leader in the field. For more details on the new defense unit, you can visit Electra.aero/defense.