Helicopter operator Bristow Norway and Beta Technologies have started operational tests in Norway with the U.S. manufacturer’s Alia CX300 electric aircraft. Trials will last several months and got underway on August 8 using a “test arena” approved by the country’s civil aviation authority (CAA) and air traffic management agency Avinor.
The conventional takeoff and landing CX300 model arrived in Stavanger, Norway, last week at the end of a 3,800-nm journey from Beta’s headquarters in Vermont. En route, the aircraft made stops in Ireland, the UK, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Denmark, including a high-profile flying display appearance at the Paris Air Show in June.
For the test flights, Bristow pilots are evaluating possible commercial routes that could include a connection between Stavanger and Bergen. Between the energy industry hubs, the air distance is just over 86 nm, but the drive time is almost five hours.
Beta pilots are providing training for their counterparts via Bristow, a launch customer for the five-passenger CX300. It has also shown interest in Beta’s A250 eVTOL aircraft, which is expected to enter service about a year after the eCTOL model.
“Bristow is proud to be part of this cutting-edge program and our participation in this test arena directly aligns with our philosophical ‘crawl, walk, run’ approach to developing advanced air mobility for commercial operations,” said Dave Stepanek, Bristow’s executive vice president and chief transformation officer. “The information we learn through the test arena program will provide valuable operational insights that could help operators, manufacturers, and regulators better understand how best to move forward towards commercial operations.”
Avinor and the Norwegian CAA have approved the so-called sandbox evaluation project for a six-month period. Beta is aiming to achieve type certification for the CX300 in 2026.
“As a nation wholly dependent on aviation, today as well as in the future, transitioning to a more sustainable aviation industry is a major priority for my government,” said Norway’s transport minister, Jon-Ivar Nygård. “This first flight represents a significant step on a long and complex journey. As the test arena demonstrates, cooperation between authorities, airports, manufacturers, operators—and not least political support—is essential. The systemic approach the test arena facilitates is unique, and I am proud that Norway is at the forefront.”
Helicopter operator Bristow Norway and Beta Technologies have started operational tests in Norway with the U.S. manufacturer’s Alia CX300 electric aircraft. The trials will last several months and got underway on August 8 using a “test arena” approved by the country’s civil aviation authority and air traffic management agency Avinor.