Electra has demonstrated its hybrid-electric EL2 Ultra Short technology demonstrator at Downtown Skyport in Lower Manhattan, taking off and landing from the heliport on 26 October. The flight formed part of the company’s “Life Beyond Runways” programme and was intended to show that fixed-wing aircraft can use existing heliport infrastructure for regional operations without conventional runways.
Electra described the operation as what is believed to be the first landing and takeoff at the site by a fixed-wing aircraft without vertical-takeoff capability. The two-seat EL2 uses distributed electric propulsion and blown-lift technology, which Electra says enables takeoff and landing distances of approximately 150 feet. Downtown Skyport is operated by Skyports Infrastructure.
The demonstration followed EL2 flights at locations including Charleston, South Carolina, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Watertown International Airport and Snowshoe Mountain Resort. Electra chief executive Marc Allen presented the Manhattan operation as evidence that fixed-wing aircraft could use heliports to provide more direct regional connections from urban locations.
The EL2 is supporting development of the nine-passenger EL9, which is intended for routes of roughly 50 to 500 miles and operation from heliports, barges, fields, parking lots and other compact sites. The EL9 remains under development and is progressing through FAA certification. Its planned propulsion system combines electric motors with a Safran TG600 turbogenerator. Electra has reported provisional letters of intent covering 2,200 aircraft and backing from Lockheed Martin, Safran and Honeywell Aerospace.