Beta Technologies demonstrated its Alia CX300 electric aircraft at Shannon Airport, Ireland last month, the first stop on a European tour of several countries, before it is delivered to launch customer Bristow in Norway.
Vermont, USA-based Beta was founded in 2017. The company is developing its fixed-wing Alia CX300 eCTOL (conventional take-off and landing) battery-electric aircraft and the Alia eVTOL.
The CX300 shares design elements, main systems and components with the Alia eVTOL, but does not feature the rotors and fixed-wing take-off and landing systems. The CX300 has a range of up to 386 miles (621km), compared to the Alia eVTOL’s 287 miles (460km).
The CX300 can carry up to five passengers or 1,250 lbs (567kg) of cargo. It is aimed at the regional and intra-city aviation markets.
Kyle Clark, founder and CEO of BETA Technologies said, “This is more than just an arrival, it’s a launchpad to bring the future of aviation to Europe. Our aircraft is purpose-built for the distributed geography and weather conditions of Ireland and the rest of Europe. We see Ireland as a strategic partner and gateway to the broader European aviation market.”
The CX300 flown in Shannon, tail number N214BT, is one of several that BETA has built on the final assembly line at its 200,000 square foot production facility in Vermont, USA, where it is ramping up production, certification, and delivery efforts.
“BETA and the ALIA aircraft represent the spirit of innovation and fast-paced product development happening in aviation,” said Declan Fitzpatrick, chief executive of the Irish Aviation Authority. “This challenges regulators to keep up. but I am happy to state Europe and specifically Ireland has the necessary safety regulations and certification framework and skills in place to test and bring hybrid and electric aircraft to the market.”
The CX300 flight demonstration at Shannon Airport Ireland was supported by the Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI).
BETA Technologies has developed and is rolling out Charge Cubes – a network of charge infrastructure that uses an industry standard compatible with other air taxi manufacturers and ground vehicles. FMCI is to install several Charge Cubes at its campus near Shannon Airport next year.
N214BT is expected to be used for demonstration flights in France, the UK as well as other European countries before late summer, when it is scheduled to be delivered to launch customer Bristow in Norway, where it will be used as part of a Regulatory Sandbox exercise in partnership with the CAA and Avinor. BETA has already conducted several demonstration flights in the USA.
Global aviation services company Bristow provides helicopter charter, mainly to offshore energy companies and government entities. The company has initially ordered up to 50 CX300s.
