Post by account_disabled on Feb 28, 2024 4:39:28 GMT
Bristow places large order for Beta's Alia eVTOL aircraft.
Beta Technologies' Alia- aircraft is the latest eVTOL aircraft to catch the attention of offshore helicopter operator Bristow Group. The companies confirmed that Bristow has placed a firm order for five aircraft, with the option for an additional
Dave Stepanek, executive vice president and chief transformation officer at Bristow, said the company plans to use the Alia aircraft to transport passengers and urgent cargo as part of the development of new regional mobility networks in the U.S. and elsewhere.
“This order firmly positions Bristow as an early adopter and leader in the pragmatic development of AAM (advanced air mobility) operations and ushers in a new era in vertical lift solutions,” Stepanek said.
The partnership with Beta is just the latest in Bristow's plan to pursue AAM. The offshore helicopter operator also has partnerships with Lilium , Elroy Air, Overair, Eve Air Mobility, Vertical Aerospace and eSTOL deve C Level Executive List loper Electra.aero for future aircraft orders.
With a wingspan of meters and a carbon fiber fuselage, the Alia is powered by a single distributed direct electric propulsion system. It has four horizontally mounted rotors that provide vertical lift and a single propeller at the rear for forward flight.
The Alia aircraft targets a maximum range of nautical miles ( miles or kilometers), designed to carry kilograms of payload or a pilot and five passengers. Beta claims that its battery can be charged in less than an hour using the startup 's own charging infrastructure .
“We designed Alia with reliability, efficiency and higher-value cargo in mind, all of which are critical to the types of critical missions Bristow conducts on a global stage,” said Kyle Clark, founder and CEO of Beta. .
Clark said the company has made great progress in its flight test program, "demonstrating that the aircraft is capable of operating under the conditions it will see in service."
Notably, the Alia aircraft completed a two-part cross-country flight, traveling , miles (, km) across six states in May. Flying in conventional takeoff and landing mode, the Alia took off at its flight test center in upstate New York and traveled through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas for several days.
To bolster its flight test program, Beta is also working with the US Air Force, which achieved its first crewed flight using the Alia aircraft in March, as well as the US Army.
In addition to Bristow, Beta has already announced orders from UPS for up to Alia aircraft, as well as Blade Air Mobility for up to aircraft and LCI for up to aircraft. United Therapeutics will be Beta's launch partner and plans to use Alia to transport organs for human transplants.
Beta Technologies' Alia- aircraft is the latest eVTOL aircraft to catch the attention of offshore helicopter operator Bristow Group. The companies confirmed that Bristow has placed a firm order for five aircraft, with the option for an additional
Dave Stepanek, executive vice president and chief transformation officer at Bristow, said the company plans to use the Alia aircraft to transport passengers and urgent cargo as part of the development of new regional mobility networks in the U.S. and elsewhere.
“This order firmly positions Bristow as an early adopter and leader in the pragmatic development of AAM (advanced air mobility) operations and ushers in a new era in vertical lift solutions,” Stepanek said.
The partnership with Beta is just the latest in Bristow's plan to pursue AAM. The offshore helicopter operator also has partnerships with Lilium , Elroy Air, Overair, Eve Air Mobility, Vertical Aerospace and eSTOL deve C Level Executive List loper Electra.aero for future aircraft orders.
With a wingspan of meters and a carbon fiber fuselage, the Alia is powered by a single distributed direct electric propulsion system. It has four horizontally mounted rotors that provide vertical lift and a single propeller at the rear for forward flight.
The Alia aircraft targets a maximum range of nautical miles ( miles or kilometers), designed to carry kilograms of payload or a pilot and five passengers. Beta claims that its battery can be charged in less than an hour using the startup 's own charging infrastructure .
“We designed Alia with reliability, efficiency and higher-value cargo in mind, all of which are critical to the types of critical missions Bristow conducts on a global stage,” said Kyle Clark, founder and CEO of Beta. .
Clark said the company has made great progress in its flight test program, "demonstrating that the aircraft is capable of operating under the conditions it will see in service."
Notably, the Alia aircraft completed a two-part cross-country flight, traveling , miles (, km) across six states in May. Flying in conventional takeoff and landing mode, the Alia took off at its flight test center in upstate New York and traveled through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas for several days.
To bolster its flight test program, Beta is also working with the US Air Force, which achieved its first crewed flight using the Alia aircraft in March, as well as the US Army.
In addition to Bristow, Beta has already announced orders from UPS for up to Alia aircraft, as well as Blade Air Mobility for up to aircraft and LCI for up to aircraft. United Therapeutics will be Beta's launch partner and plans to use Alia to transport organs for human transplants.