Beta Technologies has completed a six-month electric flight test campaign in Norway that validated aircraft performance, charging infrastructure and operational procedures in winter conditions.
The program involved 126 test flights covering around 10,000 miles (16,000km) between Stavanger and Bergen using Beta’s Alia electric aircraft operated by Bristow. The campaign concluded on January 28 when Bristow pilot Jeremy Degagne landed the aircraft in Stavanger for the last time.
Testing validated winter operations capabilities and charging infrastructure requirements in one of aviation’s most demanding environments. The program consumed 12 MWh of electrical energy across the six-month operational period.
Norway’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) participated in the program to evaluate safety regulations for electric aviation. Jan Petter Steinland, director of strategic analysis and transformation at CAA Norway, said the authority established a regulatory sandbox to assess how existing safety regulations apply to electric aircraft.
Avinor, Norway’s national airport operator, gained experience with charging infrastructure development and operational procedures. Karianne Helland Strand, executive vice president for sustainability and infrastructure at Avinor, said the project provided concrete experience to guide future airport and charging infrastructure development.
Dave Stepanek, executive vice president and chief transformation officer at Bristow Group, said, “This project represents an important step toward the next generation of flight. We’re proud to contribute real-world operational and safety experience that supports the careful, responsible introduction of electric and sustainable aircraft.”
Simon Newitt, head of sales and support at Beta Technologies, said the program demonstrated how electric aviation should be introduced through planned partnerships with regulators and operators. The company validated aircraft performance, charging infrastructure and procedures during the campaign.
Air traffic controllers indicated the electric aircraft could be integrated into existing airspace with limited additional workload. The program demonstrated that innovation and safety requirements can be addressed simultaneously.
The test campaign identified key requirements for electric aviation expansion including robust charging solutions and winter-adapted infrastructure. The program also highlighted training needs for fire and rescue services related to battery systems.
The project was conducted under Norway’s international test arena established by Avinor and CAA Norway in April 2024. Beta’s ALIA family includes both conventional takeoff and landing and vertical takeoff and landing variants.
