Flying Magazine reports, “Beta will train additional company and FAA personnel using dual controls on its flagship electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) Alia 250. The company on Wednesday said the agency granted it a letter of authorization (LOA) to start dual seat pilot training of “manufacturer and FAA personnel,” such as the aviation safety inspector who will ultimately help certify the aircraft for commercial service.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
Tag: ALIA eVTOL
Beta’s Alia Completes First Deployment at Eglin AFB
Aviation Week reports that Beta Technologies “has concluded the first deployment of its Alia electric aircraft to a US military base, completing three months of flight testing with the US Air Force at Duke Field on Eglin AFB, Florida.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Bristow Conducts First Flight Test in Beta’s Alia
Aviation Week reports that global helicopter operator Bristow “has conducted its first test flight in Beta Technologies’ Alia in support of its orders for both the conventional- and vertical-takeoff-and-landing versions of the electric aircraft.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
US Air Force Pilots Test Fly Alia eVTOL
Aviation Week reports that two US Air Force pilots “have become the first to conduct crewed test flights of an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft under the service’s Agility Prime program.” The two pilots flew “Beta Technologies’ Alia prototype on March 9 from Plattsburgh International Airport, New York.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Air New Zealand Considers Passenger Flights with Beta’s Alia Electric Aircraft
Aviation Week reports that while Air New Zealand “plans to use its first electric aircraft for a cargo-only commercial demonstration, it will consider broadening its role and adding more aircraft as the program progresses.” The carrier “announced an order for a Beta Technologies Alia electric aircraft on Dec. 6.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Beta Technologies Partners with Blade Air Mobility on eVOTL Test Flight
Aviation International News reports that on Tuesday, Beta Technologies “made a test flight of its six-seat, all-electric Alia-250 EVA eVTOL at the Westchester County Airport (KHPN) in White Plains, New York.” The flight, which was performed in cooperation with Blade Air Mobility, “was the first of an eVTOL aircraft in the New York metropolitan area.” The Alia-250 flew “alongside a conventional helicopter before pulling away for a second pass above the airport to highlight the eVTOL’s comparative quietness.” Beta claims that “its noise profile is one-tenth that of a conventional helicopter.” In April 2021, Blade “agreed to facilitate the purchase of up to 20 passenger-configured Alia-250s by its network of operators.” Blade intends to “deploy these aircraft on routes between its network of dedicated terminals in the U.S. Beta has also agreed to provide and install charging infrastructure at certain key locations.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)
Electric Aircraft Company Beta Technologies Raises $368M in Funding Round
Reuters reports that electric aircraft company Beta Technologies “said on Tuesday it had raised $368 million in a private funding round which was led by Fidelity Management and backed by Amazon’s climate-focused venture capital fund.” Beta Technologies said that the funding will be used to refine its electric propulsion systems and controls and the construction of manufacturing facilities. UPS agreed last month to buy 10 electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft from Beta Technologies to speed up deliveries in small markets.
Full Story (Reuters)
BETA Technologies’ ALIA eVTOL Receives Airworthiness Approval from US Air Force
Aviation Today reported that BETA Technology’s ALIA eVTOL “has received the first airworthiness approval for manned flight in an electric aircraft from the U.S. Air Force, the Air Force announced on May 5.” The approval comes after the Air Force tested the ALIA simulator for a year. BETA and the Air Force “will sign a contract in June that allows the Air Force access to ALIA as well as their eVTOL simulators in Washington, D.C. and Springfield, Ohio. The airworthiness approval allows ALIA to fly in the Air Force’s AFWERX Agility Prime program, according to the Air Force.”
Full Story (Aviation Today)
US Air Force Could Be Flying Air Taxis by 2023
Aviation Today reports that AFWERX Director Col. Nathan Diller said that the US Air Force’s Agility Prime program has been investing in electric air taxis and could have them in use by 2023. The vertical takeoff and landing capable air taxis potentially could be used to evacuate downed aircrew.
Full Story (Aviation Today)
Bristow Plans to Acquire Up to 55 Alia 250 eVTOL Aircraft
Aviation International News reports that Bristow “is continuing to expand into the advanced air mobility (AAM) market with plans to acquire as many as 55 Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft from Beta Technologies. The company announced on Tuesday that it has placed a firm order for five of Beta’s electrically powered aircraft, with options for 50 more.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)
France to Test Electric Air Taxis Before 2024 Summer Olympics
The Hill reports that France “is set to begin testing electric air taxis in the coming months, with the goal of launching them in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics.” The flying taxis “will be tested at a hub outside Paris at Pontoise” in the hopes of establishing two flight paths to the 2024 Olympics from both Paris airports and two southwest suburbs, respectively.
Full Story (The Hill)
Beta Technologies Flies Alia Aircraft between Amazon Air Hubs
Aviation Week reports that Beta Technologies “has flown its Alia electric aircraft between two Amazon Air hubs, completing a 31-min. flight between Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and Wilmington Air Park in Ohio.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
LCI Orders 50 Alia-250 eVTOLs
Aviation Week reports that LCI “has placed a firm order for 50 Beta Technologies Alia-250 electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOL) with an option for another 75.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Beta Alia-250 Completes First Crewed eVTOL Transition Flight
Flying Magazine reports, “Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer Beta Technologies this week achieved a milestone few eVTOL companies have reached. The company on Tuesday said it completed a crewed, full transition flight of its Alia-250 (A250) eVTOL.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
Beta Performs Piloted eVTOL Aircraft Transition Flight
Aviation International News reports, “Beta Technologies has achieved the first piloted transition flights with a prototype of its Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft prototype, the Vermont-based aircraft developer announced today. A successful transition flight marks a significant milestone in the development of any eVTOL aircraft, demonstrating the core capabilities of vertical lift and horizontal cruise in combination.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)