Electra.aero
I have signed up to FutureFlight‘s weekly newsletter and this week it gave two articles about a new nine-seat airliner called an Electra.aero.
It must be the first airliner named after its web site or vice-versa.
The first article is entitled Electra.aero Gives A Glimpse If Its eSTOL Technology Development Aircraft.
It says this about the aircraft and the company.
As it works on plans for a nine-passenger eSTOL blown-wing aircraft, Electra.aero has posted a short video teasing followers with a glimpse of what it describes as a technology demonstrator. The video shows what appears to be a subscale model of the larger hybrid-electric design, but the Virginia-based company is giving very little away for now.
This week, the U.S. start-up announced the appointment of former Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO James Albaugh to its board of advisors, along with the former Airbus America CEO and FAA Administrator Allan McArtor, and aircraft finance expert Kristen Bartok Touw.
You can also watch a video.
The second article is entitled Electra.aero Uses Truck To Test Gives A Glimpse If Its eSTOL Aircraft Propulsion System And Wing.
It says about more the aircraft.
Electra.aero’s planned nine-passenger eSTOL aircraft is expected to be able to operate from landing strips as short as 300 feet. The company’s blown-wing design and hybrid-electric propulsion system will be key factors in achieving this breakthrough performance for regional air services. At its base in Manassas Regional Airport in Virginia, the company is using a technology demonstrator and a truck to conduct ground testing key systems in preparation for anticipated test flights later this year.
You can also watch a video.
The home page also shows a visualisation of a flight between Washington DC and New York.
Note.
- Blown-wing and blown flaps have been used before on aircraft like the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, the Boeing C-17 Globemaster and the Blackburn Buccaneer.
- Blown flaps’ use on the Electra.aero, seems to be the first application on a small propeller-driver airliner.
- Electra.aero seems well-connected, which helps in the aviation industry.
- Power seems to come from a hybrid-electric design.
- Being able to operate from landing strips as short as a football field is a unique characteristic.
- Pictures on the web site show the aircraft has eight propellers, with those close to the fuselage being larger.
- A 400 nautical mile range with a 45 minute reserve, a cruise speed of 175 knots and a quiet take-off are claimed.
As someone, who has over a thousand hours in command of a twin-engined Cessna 340A, this aircraft could be the real deal.
- The field performance is sensational.
- The range is excellent.
- Except for the number of electric engines, it looks like an aircraft and won’t put off the passengers.
- It could fly between Washington DC and New York or London and Paris.
According to their web site, they already have a $3 billion order-book.
The Anonymous Widower 