Ever since its launch, we thought Vermont’s Beta Technologies might prove itself the real deal in an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) world dominated by renderings, concepts, prototypes and other “maybe somedays.”
That was back in 2020, and the company has since emerged a leader in the space. Now it’s taken another major step, becoming the first to perform a successful transition – from helicopter-style hovering to airplane-like cruising – with a pilot on board. And it’s kindly captured the achievement on video
A big reason Beta landed the #2 spot on the Advanced Air Mobility Reality Index (AAM RI) back in 2021 was that it had just received the very first military airworthiness approval for manned electric aircraft flight, meaning the Air Force was confident enough to put its own pilot in the seat and take flight. A few months ago, Beta delivered the Alia platform (in conventional takeoff and landing/CTOL form) to the US Air Force at Florida’s Eglin Air Force Base.
Now, the company has made another big leap, completing a full transition from VTOL hover to wing-borne cruise, and then back to hovering for landing, becoming the first company ever to demonstrate that feat with a pilot on board. Beta test pilot Nate Moyer bravely took the helm at New York’s Plattsburgh International Airport, guiding the Alia-250 straight upward off the ground via its four horizontal electric propellers.
Source: https://newatlas.com/aircraft/beta-alia-first-piloted-evtol-transition/
