Small plane maker Beta Technologies has rolled out its first electric plane from a full-scale production line in Vermont. A slick new video from the manufacturer lets you take a ride on the aircraft that set this milestone.
In the crowded field of electric aircraft, BETA Technologies has truly risen to the top. As of May 2021, the SMG consulting firm ranked BETA second on its list of manufacturers most likely to bring electric airplanes to market.
This prediction appears to have been well thought out, as the company just announced that its production facility is fully certified and operational in Vermont, USA. The facility will open in October 2023 and will have the capacity to produce up to 300 aircraft per year. BETA says the facility will be “the first large-scale electric aircraft manufacturing facility in the United States.”
beta technology
“Within one year, BETA obtained a certificate of occupancy for a 200,000 square foot (18,580 square meter) manufacturing facility in South Burlington, Vermont, with fully installed tooling, organized supplies, The chain was completed, the propulsion system was fabricated, and the aircraft was rotated. It was taken off the production line, received airworthiness certification from the FAA, and flew.” It’s stated in the comments.
BETA Technologies flies production aircraft
The plane featured here is the company’s Alia CX300 CTOL, which takes off in a traditional flight from the runway. This differs from BETA’s A250 VTOL, which can take off vertically like a helicopter and began transitioning into cruise testing earlier this year, allowing it to switch from hovering to straight flight.
The CX300 is essentially a fixed-wing version of the VTOL model, and last year BETA announced it had logged more than 22,000 flight hours toward certification, and is aiming for certification in 2025. According to Flight Global, the Civil Aviation Authority inspected the aircraft before its most recent flight and granted it an airworthiness certificate for experimental research.
beta technology
The announcement of production line CX300 flights comes just weeks after BETA Technologies announced it had raised US$318 million in a Series C capital round, showing no signs of slowing down. .
“This investment demonstrates progress and a milestone towards the commercialization of electric aircraft,” said Kyle Clark, founder and CEO of BETA, who flew the production line plane for its maiden flight. Ta. “For years, we have flown across the country and worked with partners to demonstrate the safety and reliability of our aircraft and chargers. We are now beginning production for our customers. Their continued belief and trust in this team and our vision will be good for our investors and for the world. We are grateful for their shared vision.”
Source: BETA Technologies
