Electra unveils "Ultra Short" aircraft that can land almost anywhere
New hybrid-electric EL9 promises to transform air travel with 150-foot takeoffs and 330-mile range.
On Wednesday, 13 November, Virginia-based aviation startup Electra unveiled its new hybrid-electric aircraft, showcasing a design that could transform regional air travel by operating from spaces as small as a soccer field.
The nine-passenger EL9 "Ultra Short" aircraft represents a potential breakthrough in regional aviation. It combines the versatility of helicopters, the sustainability credentials of electric air taxis (or ‘eVTOLS’) and the range and economics of fixed-wing aircraft. The plane requires just 150 feet for takeoff and landing and offers a range of 330 nautical miles with passengers and cargo or 1,100 nautical miles in ferry configuration.
"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, Electra's CEO. "We're redefining how people and cargo move through Direct Aviation, a new category of safe and seamless travel that brings air mobility closer to where we live, work and play."
Market momentum: major players betting on Electra
The company has secured over 2,100 orders from 52 operators worldwide, valued at more than $8 billion. Major customers include JSX, which signed for up to 82 aircraft including 32 firm orders and 50 options. The U.S. Navy is also exploring the aircraft for logistics in contested environments.
Electra's approach differs from that of numerous companies developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The EL9 uses a hybrid-electric system with distributed electric propulsion and eight motors along the wing, allowing for conventional takeoff and landing, albeit in extremely short distances. This design enables greater range and payload than standard eVTOLs. Electra additionally says that it will be 70% cheaper to operate than an eVTOL.
The unveiling follows over a year of successful flight testing of Electra's EL2 Goldfinch two-seat prototype, which has demonstrated the company's blown lift and hybrid-electric propulsion technology.
In July, the Goldfinch made history as the first piloted electric aircraft to fly at NASA's Langley Research Center, completing a 120-mile cross-country flight to the facility. The aircraft has also proven its ability to operate from grass fields, validating its capability to serve locations without traditional airport infrastructure. In-flight battery charging means that no charging ground equipment will be needed.
The company's relationship with NASA expanded further Wednesday with Electra's selection for NASA’s Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability (AACES) 2050 initiative. The research project, led by Electra's Chief Engineer Dr. Alejandra Uranga, will collaborate with American Airlines, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, Lockheed Martin, MIT, and the University of Michigan to develop technologies for sustainable airliners expected to enter service by mid-century.
The EL9 aircraft combines distributed electric propulsion using battery packs and a small turbine-powered generator that drives eight electric motors distributed along the wing. This provides high lift at low airspeeds while cruising at 175 knots.
From prototype to production: the path to 2029
Electra expects to begin test flights in 2027, with certification and service entry planned for 2029 under FAA Part 23 regulations. The aircraft will be certified for both single-pilot operations and flight into known icing conditions, making it suitable for year-round commercial operations.
Electra says that the market potential extends beyond urban centres. With the ability to operate from unprepared surfaces and short airfields, the EL9 could serve thousands of smaller communities currently lacking air service, potentially transforming regional transportation in areas where driving is now the only option.
First deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2029, subject to FAA certification.