WHAT’S BEING CLAIMED:
- Investment and orders from different transportation companies are pouring in for Beta Technologies’ electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
- This aircraft is designed to take off and land like a helicopter, and complete long-range flights like a jet.
- Alia could transport 6 people (5 passengers and 1 pilot) or up to 1,400 lbs. of cargo.
Beta Technologies’ electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is attracting huge investment and orders from different transportation companies.
The corporation based in Vermont was the first to develop an electric aircraft that can fly at the altitude and speed of a jet, but with the flexible take-off and landing of a helicopter.
The certification process for Alia was completed in May. Beta secured U.S. Air Force’s first approval for manned electric flight tests which permitted, which made Alia the first electric aircraft that got this far from the drawing board.
Beta completed a fundraising campaign with $375 million, and secured orders from United Therapeutics and United Parcel Service (UPS). UPS has committed to buying 10 eVTOL aircraft with the option to purchase another 140 planes in the future.
BLADE transportation, a private corporation that transports passengers in helicopters around New York from Manhattan, has purchased 5 electronic planes from Beta and reserved up to 20 more.
Alia could transport 6 people (5 passengers and 1 pilot) or up to 1,400 lbs. of cargo. The defining characteristic of this aircraft, however, is the charging feature — one hour for a full charge. Everyone knows how long a plane can be delayed when refueling on the tarmac, especially when there is a leak.
“Zero emissions aviation is a critical part of turning the corner on climate change, and we are thrilled that our investors see our electric aviation system as a meaningful step towards this ambitious goal,” Beta’s Executive Director Kyle Clark said in a news release.
The corporation started building 65 charging stations in the United States and has applied for permits to start building a hundred more. The goal is to complete building charging stations throughout the country by 2025.
Source: Good News Network
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