Electra today announced the takeoff and landing of its hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft at Downtown Skyport in Lower Manhattan, marking what is believed to be the first-ever landing at the heliport by a fixed-wing aircraft without vertical takeoff capability.
“The demonstration, the latest in Electra’s ongoing Life Beyond Runways series, showcases Direct Aviation, a new model for regional mobility that uses accessible air travel to connect passengers directly from where they are to where they want to go,” said Electra in a press release. “Direct Aviation enables people to skip congested roads and crowded airport hubs for more accessible and efficient travel. Electra’s Direct Aviation Market Outlook estimates potential time savings of approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes from New York City to Boston, 3 hours and 30 minutes to Washington, D.C., and 45 minutes to Philadelphia.”
Ultra Short aircraft combine a hybrid-electric propulsion system with blown-lift technology to take off and land in just 150 feet. This capability opens up novel access points using existing infrastructure like heliports, barges, fields, and parking lots – no runway required, said the company.
“Today we made aviation history in downtown Manhattan by landing a fixed-wing aircraft on a heliport,” said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra. “This same capability will fundamentally transform how people travel in our nation by making it faster and easier to get them to their destinations. What’s even more interesting is that we didn’t need to build a new runway to do it. We worked with partners who see new possibilities in existing infrastructure. There are places like this all across the country. Communities and aviation operators are beginning to see what they could become. That’s how Direct Aviation takes shape: not by asking people to travel farther or wait longer to catch a flight, but by bringing flight closer to where they live, work and want to go.”
“Electra’s historic flight today marks a significant milestone for Downtown Skyport and Advanced Air Mobility in NYC, demonstrating how new aircraft technologies can unlock entirely new uses for existing aviation infrastructure,” said Robbie Ladov, General Manager, US Heliports & Vertiports, Skyports Infrastructure. “As New York’s hub for Advanced Air Mobility, Downtown Skyport is playing a central role in bringing next generation aviation to the city, from electric air taxis and cargo drones to new forms of regional passenger transport. Electra’s ultra-short takeoff aircraft shows that Downtown Skyport can connect to destinations well beyond the airport run, carrying more passengers and more cargo over far greater distances. We’re excited to partner with Electra today and demonstrate how we can bring faster, more convenient air travel closer to where people live and work in Manhattan.”
For more information
https://electra.aero/
(Image: Electra)