Signature Aviation, BETA Technologies, Republic Airways Holdings and Brickyard Connection have completed three days of electric flight demonstrations at Kissimmee Gateway Airport this month following a winter demonstration campaign in Burlington, Vermont and Plattsburgh, New York.
The back-to-back hot- and cold-weather demonstrations are designed to prove the readiness of electric commercial aviation to support cargo, logistics, passenger and medical missions connecting Florida’s major metropolitan areas with the regional airports that serve them.
Signature is partnering with BETA to expand charging capabilities across Florida and beyond. Most recently commissioned at Kissimmee Gateway Airport was a BETA Charge Cube and Thermal Management System for fast charging, even in hot and humid weather conditions. BETA has charging infrastructure installed at six airports across Florida, including Kissimmee Gateway Airport, Duke Field (Eglin Air Force Base Auxiliary) and Bob Sikes Airport in Crestview, Gainesville Regional Airport, Tallahassee International Airport, and Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport.
Using the newly-installed ground support equipment, pilots pressure-tested BETA’s ALIA CX300 aircraft flying up to nine legs per day, with an average charge session of 105 kWh per flight and USD 16.80 in energy consumed per leg.
The latest Florida demonstrations culminated in a May 18 event at Orlando International Airport, where the partners convened more than 120 industry leaders, state officials and community stakeholders at Signature Aviation’s Arnold Palmer Hangar.
For more information
Image: Signature Aviation