Electra completed the takeoff and landing of its hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (KJRB) on Oct. 26, 2026, marking what company officials believe is the first landing of a fixed-wing aircraft without vertical takeoff capability at the facility.
The milestone capped two weeks of demonstration flights in New York. According to Electra officials, the Ultra Short technology demonstrator pairs a hybrid-electric propulsion system with blown-lift technology to take off and land in 150 feet, enabling operations from compact locations such as heliports, grass fields, and urban centers without traditional runway requirements.
Electra is developing the operational model as an inaugural participant in the FAA advanced air mobility integration pilot program, with plans to serve regional routes connecting urban centers directly to surrounding destinations.
“Electra’s flight marks a significant milestone for Downtown Skyport and Advanced Air Mobility in NYC, demonstrating how new aircraft technologies can unlock entirely new uses for existing aviation infrastructure,” said Robbie Ladov, General Manager, US Heliports & Vertiports at Skyports Infrastructure. “Electra’s Ultra-Short takeoff aircraft shows that Downtown Skyport can connect to destinations well beyond the airport run, carrying more passengers and more cargo over far greater distances.”
“We didn’t need to build a new runway to do it,” said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra. “We worked with partners who see new possibilities in existing infrastructure. That’s how Direct Aviation takes shape: Not by asking people to travel farther or wait longer to catch a flight, but by bringing flight closer to where they live, work, and want to go.”
Electra will continue flight demonstrations with its EL2 demonstrator as it advances the production EL9 model toward certification and operational service.
For more information: Electra.aero
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