Aircraft

Electra's eSTOL demonstrator aircraft makes its first flights

View 5 Images
Everything else being equal, eSTOLs like the Electra EL-2 Goldfinch (pictured) should be faster and have greater range than helicopter-like eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft
Electra
Everything else being equal, eSTOLs like the Electra EL-2 Goldfinch (pictured) should be faster and have greater range than helicopter-like eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft
Electra
The Goldfinch utilizes eight electric propellers (four on each side) to blow air over its wings, greatly increasing the lift required for take-offs and landings on very short runways
Electra
The Electra EL-2 Goldfinch takes off at Virginia's Manassas Regional Airport
Electra
The first flight, which was all-electric, took place on Nov. 11th, while the second – which was hybrid-electric – took place on Nov. 19th
Electra
Lead test pilot Cody Allee with the EL-2 Goldfinch
Electra
View gallery - 5 images

Two years ago, American air mobility company Electra announced that it was partnering with the US Air Force on the development of an ultra-short takeoff and landing (ultra-STOL) aircraft. Earlier this month, a demonstrator version of that plane made its first two flights.

Known as the EL-2 Goldfinch, the two-seat "blown lift" demonstrator is actually classified as a hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft. It utilizes eight electric propellers (four on each side) to blow air over its wings, greatly increasing lift and thus reducing the length of runways required for take-offs and landings. Such short runways could be located at small urban "pocket airports" in big cities, between which commuter eSTOLs could make short flights.

The propellers' motors are powered by batteries that can either be charged before flight and then used on their own (for pure electric flight), or charged on the go by a small onboard turbogenerator (for hybrid flight). Thanks to this setup, the Goldfinch is reportedly much quieter and produces far less emissions than conventional fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters.

The Electra EL-2 Goldfinch takes off at Virginia's Manassas Regional Airport
Electra

Both of the recent test flights were performed at the Manassas Regional Airport in Virginia, with lead test pilot Cody Allee at the controls.

The first flight, which was all-electric, took place on Nov. 11th, while the second – which was hybrid-electric – took place on Nov. 19th. On the latter flight, which lasted 23 minutes, Allee reached an altitude of 3,200 feet (975 m) and covered a distance of about 30 miles (48 km). For what the company has in mind, it was a step in the right direction.

Lead test pilot Cody Allee with the EL-2 Goldfinch
Electra

"The aim of Electra is to fill a gap in air travel between 50 and 500 miles [80 and 805 km], where most trips today are made by automobile," said Electra founder and CEO John Langford. "The key to saving time is to operate close in, which means getting in and out of small spaces quietly and safely, while still being fast enough to cover long distances."

Electra's planned commercial eSTOL (similar to the Air Force model) will seat nine passengers, fly at a speed of 200 mph (322 km/h) for a distance of 500 miles, and be capable of using runways as short as 150 feet (46 m).

Source: Electra

View gallery - 5 images
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
5 comments
guzmanchinky
Oh that is SUCH a cool looking little plane. I miss flying, it just got too expensive with hangar fees and maintenance. How I would love an electric plane with folding wings on a trailer...
JemThomas
A realistic electric aviation proposal, E-VTOL solutions may be sexy but the energy required for vertical operations makes for compromised offers. The hybrid option also makes more sense. What seems to be missed is that in the developed world (at least) there are hundreds of underutilised airfields a short drive from your home or workplace, so what is required is low operating cost equipment that can make use of these. This plane looks just the ticket; I wish them luck.
Towerman
5 bladers and T tails
..Ticks all my boxes :D !
Jinpa
The Army and Marines should want this for recon work. Long ago I worked on a little Army recon recip plane called the Grasshopper. It could stay in the air are 45mph.
jerryd
Too many small props. Should be 4-6 larger props.
Hard to have blown lift if the props don't blow over the top of the wing.
Done right a blown lift aircraft only needs a plane length to take off and 2 to land. Recently a STOL landed and took off from an 86' wide helipad on top of a skyscraper. shows the way without all this complication.