- What the CEO of Electra thinks of the aircraft and what Electra is looking to do in the aviation industry
- When Electra will start test flights on this aircraft
The Aviation startup company Electra, working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is looking to certify its new hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing aircraft (eSTOL) by 2026. In order to help with the FAA certification process, Electra hired Randy Griffith as its director of certification on August 17, 2021. The Virginia-based startup aims to get the FAA Level 3 type certification under 14 CFR Part 23 in 2026. Electra CEO John Langford said in a company statement, “Randy is an industry veteran who has led the certification of the Eclipse Jet, Honda Jet, Mooney M10, Aerion SST, and Zunum ZA10. Having taken several aircraft from concept through certification, he knows what it really takes to get the job done and we are excited to have him on our team.”
This new fixed-wing type hybrid-electric aircraft will be controlled by a single pilot and will be able to carry up to 7 passengers. The maximum range of the aircraft is 805 kilometers, and can reach up to 30 miles per hour during energy-efficient takeoff and landings but can hit speeds of 200 mph at cruise speed. Testing for this eSTOL aircraft will begin in 2022, says Electra.
