BETA Technologies, an electric aviation company based in Vermont, has reached a key milestone with the first test flight of its production version of the ALIA CTOL, an electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) aircraft.
BETAâs founder, CEO, and test pilot, Kyle Clark, piloted the flight, marking another step forward in BETAâs goal of bringing the ALIA aircraft to market.
This flight follows the companyâs recent progress with the ALIA VTOL, a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, both of which are moving through FAA certification processes.
The ALIA CTOLâs first production test flight took place on November 13 after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted BETA a Multipurpose Special Airworthiness Certificate.
After a conventional runway takeoff, the aircraft reached 7,000 feet, where Clark evaluated handling, stability, and control test points. Clark noted that the flight marks âa significant milestone for BETA,â adding, âWe learned a lot from this first production build⊠weâre one step closer to putting this technology into the hands of our customers.â
Following this initial flight, BETA will conduct a series of tests to meet the 50-hour flight requirement for certification, expanding testing operations outside of Burlington.
The company plans to continue production on both ALIA CTOL and VTOL variants, with FAA certification and commercial operation targeted for 2025.
