Electra's EL2 demonstrator completes short take-off and landing trials in Virginia

Electra has flown a series of government-backed test flights from Virginia airports to demonstrate that its EL2 Ultra-Short can take off and land much like a helicopter.

The US developer said on 22 September that the trials used point-in-space procedures and dedicated instrument routings. The EL2 flew from Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional, Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive and Blackstone Army Airfield.

According to Electra, the aircraft used access points previously available only to helicopters, including taxiways and heliports. The Virginia-based company called the work progress toward bringing its blown-lift design to market. Its propellers blow air across the wings to increase lift. Electra says helicopter-style instrument procedures could open up regional air service without conventional runways.

The EL2 is a demonstrator. Electra is developing a production model, the EL9, which it says will operate from distances as short as 45m (150ft).

The flights were arranged with Virginia's Smart Airspace Programme, the state Department of Aviation and the FAA's Integration Pilot Program for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, which supports companies working on small electric and hybrid-electric designs.

Tom Jones, director of Virginia Tech's Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership, said the testing was the practical kind needed to move advanced air mobility from concept toward operational use. The aim, he said, was to produce data and operational insight rather than simply fly a route.