Beta Technologies Pursue FAA Certification For CX 300 Electric Aircraft, Receive Orders From Three Customers

JAKARTA - Beta Technologies pursue Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for fixed-wing electric aircraft after receiving orders from three customers. This was announced by the company on Tuesday, March 14.

The Vermont-based and private-based startup sees its CX 300 conventional take-off and landing version of its electric Alia 250 or vertical takeoff (eVTOL) aircraft - as a way to introduce electric aircraft to US airspace under existing regulations.

"This is a gradual pragmatic approach," Chief Executive Kyle Clark told Reuters. "We can handle one step with the introduction of electric propulsion, and then at the next step, the introduction of vertical capabilities, and at the next step again, the introduction of passenger services."

Bristow Group, a helicopter service provider that previously ordered eVTOL aircraft from Beta, has ordered up to 50 CX 300 electric aircraft. United Therapeutics ordered an unexplained number of CX 300, with plans to use it to transport transplantable medical equipment and organs. Air New Zealand also expressed its intention to order three CX 300s, with options for another 20.

As the air transportation industry works to reduce carbon emissions, the electric "air tax" is considered a potential change that will allow airlines and other companies to transport people and goods by air at short distances.

Late last year, the FAA issued air safety criteria for Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, two Beta competitors in the eVTOL room. Joby said it plans to start commercial air taxi services by 2025 after receiving FAA certification.

Clark believes that the conventional CX 300 provides an "easy path to certification" because it can be certified under the FAA's existing regulations for aircraft. The company has submitted a certification application in November, with a target date of 2025.

"If successful, Beta can reuse most of the data to certify Alia's eVTOL aircraft, which uses the same framework of aircraft, batteries, and propulsion systems," Clark said.