In an age where we are increasingly electrifying electric vehicles, a lot of aerospace manufacturers are interested in making aviation clean, green and lean on the wallet. Beta Technologies’ Alia CX300, an electric aircraft with conventional takeoff and landing facilities, has made history by becoming the first of its kind to transport passengers. This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant milestone for the global electric aviation sector.
The landmark flight saw the Alia CX300 successfully complete a 130-kilometer journey from East Hampton to JFK Airport. What makes this feat even more remarkable is the astonishingly low cost: the flight consumed energy equivalent to just $8 USD (approximately Rs 700). That makes this electric airplane one of the cheapest ways to get airborne, at least in New York. In stark contrast, a similar trip undertaken by a traditional helicopter would typically incur fuel costs exceeding Rs 13,000 (approximately $160 USD).
The 30-minute journey carried four passengers, thus demonstrating the practical viability of electric aircraft for regional passenger transport. The company says that, on a full charge, the aircraft can go up to 463 km, thus making travel easy between inter- and intra-city
This successful flight not only showcases the advanced capabilities of Beta Technologies’ Alia CX300 but also highlights the immense potential for electric aviation to revolutionise short-haul travel, offering a more environmentally friendly and significantly more economical alternative to conventional air transport. It could also allow flight services in areas where sound pollution from aircraft is a major concern.
“Charging this thing up and flying out here cost us about $8,” said Kyle Clark, founder and CEO of Beta Technologies. “Of course, you have to pay for the pilot and the airplane, but fundamentally, it’s way less expensive,” he added.
Beta Technooogies is also developing a new type of aircraft with a vertical take-off and landing mechanism (VTOL). The company is yet to achieve the FAA certificates before making them available to the public service.
