New electric aircraft boasts 1,265-mile range, 201 mph speed, ultra-short takeoff
The EL9 cruises at 201 mph, takes off in 150 feet, with a range of 1,265 miles and can carry 3,000 lbs of freight for 379 miles.
US-based aviation company Electra has revealed its innovative EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft.
This nine-passenger, piloted model is designed to advance air travel, offering a future without airports, emissions, or noise.
Electra is now entering the development phase of the EL9, following over a year of successful flight tests with its EL2 Goldfinch two-seat prototype.
“This aircraft is more than a new design—it’s the gateway to a cleaner, quieter, and more affordable future for regional travel,” said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra, in a statement.
In June, the company successfully completed the first high-performance ultra-short flight operations of the EL-2 Goldfinch. In September, the firm also held flight demonstrations of the two-seater hybrid-electric prototype for military audiences.
Innovative aircraft design
In order to provide high lift at low airspeeds, the EL9 uses blown lift technology in conjunction with distributed electric propulsion. This is accomplished by means of four separate battery packs and a tiny turbine-powered generator that powers eight electric motors positioned along the wing.
The blown-lift mechanism makes it possible to take off and land on incredibly short airstrips—just 300 x 100 feet, or the size of a soccer field—by carefully directing focused airflow over the wings.