Brazil's Líder Aviação has forged a partnership with electric aviation pioneer Beta Technologies, including the purchase of three of the U.S. manufacturer's' in-development aircraft and options for 50 more. The companies announced the agreement on the eve of the LABACE show in São Paulo, and said the business aviation services group will also serve as Beta's sales representative in the country and operate a maintenance center.
Headquartered in Vermont, and established in 2017, Beta is developing two models: the fixed-wing CX300 and the Alia A250 VTOL vehicle. Both use the same propulsion system, but the CX300 will have longer range since it will operate from runways.
Beta’s head of sales Patrick Buckles outlined the aircraft’s key capabilities and differentiators at Monday’s launch. The aircraft will be available in both cargo and passenger configurations, allowing the Beta aircraft to get established in the market before the air taxi business model is scaled up.
Although Beta’s aircraft will be certified for single-pilot operation and five passengers, the cabin configuration will allow for a second pilot, essential for training. According to It has the largest cabin in the category at 5.7 cubic meters, and the CX300 has a 15-meter wingspan and a speed of 153 knots.
The battery packs are interchangeable—four in the eCTOL version and five in the more energy-demanding eVTOL—and they can be upgraded as storage technology improves. “Electric aircraft are the only aircraft where the lowest performance is the day you buy it,” Buckles explained.
With battery performance increasing at a rate of 7% a year, range will only increase, according to the manufacuturer. Beta’s charts of aircraft range are unique in showing expanding circles of capacity by year. With current batteries, the CX300 is expected to have a range of around 215 nm.
FAA certification is expected first for the CX300, followed by the A250 toward the end of 2026 and 2027, with EASA certification to follow in 2027 to 2028, and Brazilian ANAC approval “somewhere between those two.” ANAC’s certification director, Roberto Honorato was present at the event to announce the partnership.
Besides producing aircraft, Beta also plans on operating and managing fleets, and producing electric aircraft charging stations in three sizes, with 52 airport chargers already installed. The chargers developed by Beta can be used by any electric aircraft.
According to Lider's president Junia Hermont, its partnership with Beta is a step towards a carbon-neutral future. Líder performed Brazil’s first helicopter flight with sustainable aviation fuel last year, it was to an offshore oil platform.