Electra made history in early September 2025 as the first hybrid-electric ultra short aircraft to successfully complete helicopter-like takeoffs and landings at Watertown International Airport (KART) in New York.
With the capability to takeoff and land in just 150 feet, the Electra EL2 Ultra Short takeoff and landing technology demonstrator operated within just a 150-foot section of pavement adjacent to the airport’s main runway for these arrivals and departures, according to airport officials.
The performance of the EL2, which has been undergoing flight tests since 2023, at the non-towered Watertown International Airport highlighted the aircraft’s ability to operate safely on Taxiway Delta from spaces far smaller than conventional runways, airport officials added.
“Electra is grateful to the team at Watertown International Airport for enabling this demonstration of the EL2’s Ultra Short capabilities in an off-runway capacity,” said Tom Carto, Director of Market Development at Electra. “Our Ultra Short aircraft will offer the potential to increase the use of general aviation airports and expand the capacity of larger hubs by enabling takeoffs and landings on ramps and taxiways instead of runways, feeding in regional connections without adding to runway congestion.”
The EL2 Ultra Short’s “blown lift” design, featuring distributed electric propulsion and eight electric motors mounted on the wings, enables the ultra-short takeoff and landing capabilities, company officials noted. The aircraft’s hybrid-electric propulsion system uses a turbo generator to charge its batteries in flight, providing extended range without the need for ground charging infrastructure. This technology also contributes to a significantly lower noise profile, company officials added.
“The future of safe flight has always depended on our aviation pioneers,” said Grant Sussey, Director of Aviation at Watertown International Airport. “Given the last century of aviation improvements, our country’s safe air transportation system would be nowhere without the research and development done by our pioneers, many of whom built experimental aircraft. Electra is the new age aviation pioneer as they work towards larger scale advanced hybrid-electric propulsion systems. We are happy to work with them on their research and development needs and give them the North Country Welcome. We have a great facility and infrastructure that can support these types of operations.”
Data gathered from the tests will be instrumental in the design of Electra’s future nine-passenger commercial aircraft, the EL9, which is expected to begin flight testing in 2027, according to company officials.
For more information: WatertownAirport.com, Electra.aero
“The aircraft’s hybrid-electric propulsion system uses a turbo generator to charge its batteries in flight, providing extended range without the need for ground charging infrastructure.”
Please read with comprehension…..
Note that the headline is HYBRID…!! It has a gas turbine generator to power it in cruise, with battery power added for takeoff.
so, the turbogenerator will recharge the battery for the next takeoff.
So, I imagine that in cruise that the pilots can turn off some of the propulsion motors as needed and reduce the turbogenerator output, and fuel use.!!!
Interesting technology.!!!
All this for $10 million. Cessna Caravan for 3.5 million.
It’s in development.!
I don’t know of any Cessna that can takeoff in 150 ft. and the ‘blown lift’ is impressive.
I’d like a couple of the electric motor driven prop units for my old Cessna ?
Without infrastructure at every airport, how is this going to work?
There is going to have to be infrastructure at different airports for this to work properly. That’s gonna cost a lot of money so who’s going to pay for it?
So what happens when you fly into a place without the proper electrical outlets?
Plug it into a 110 outlet and wait two days.
This all sounds wonderful as long as they always go back to the homebase.
Who is going to spend the enormous amount to set up the electrical facilities at different airports?