Electra’s nine-passenger hybrid-electric eSTOL aircraft will feature Honeywell Aerospace’s flight control computers and electromechanical actuation systems. Honeywell announced its selection as a program partner on Thursday, and also confirmed that the group’s venture capital business unit has made an undisclosed investment in the U.S. start-up.
The Electra aircraft combines blown lift technology with distributed electric propulsion, using battery packs and a turbogenerator to power eight electric motors installed along the wing’s leading edge. According to the manufacturer, it will be able to take off and land in under 150 feet, which could allow an operator to fly from locations such as converted parking lots and short fields.
In November 2023, Electra started flight testing its two-seat EL-2 Goldfinch technology demonstrator. In test flights conducted in April and May, it achieved take-offs in less than 170 feet with a ground roll of less than 114 feet.
Electra aims to achieve FAA Part 23 type certification for the unnamed nine-passenger aircraft in 2028. The development timeline calls for it to start flying a full-scale prototype in 2026. It is expected to have a range of around 435 nm and operate at speeds of up to around 174 knots.
Honeywell’s compact fly-by-wire flight control computers are augmented by electronics rather than manual controls. According to the company, each unit is around the size of a paperback book, compared with equivalent computers on larger aircraft that are around the size and weigh of a loaded suitcase.
The electromechanical actuation systems convert electricity into mechanical force for actions such as moving flaps on wings, taking commands from either a pilot or the flight management system. According to Honeywell, its compact lightweight actuators have 10% greater power density than most equipment currently available.
“Electra’s aircraft is perfectly suited to regional air mobility and will enable new access to grow this market,” said David Shilliday, vice president for advanced air mobility with Honeywell Aerospace. “Our ability to pre-integrate multiple subsystems will not only help reduce the time it takes to install and integrate these technologies, but it will also enable Electra to expedite and streamline production of its groundbreaking eSTOL aircraft.”