Beta Technologies has conducted the first flight test of an electric aircraft from online retail giant Amazon’s Kentucky hub to a hub in Ohio.

Vermont-based Beta Technologies is continuing to check off milestones in its flight test program. Alia-250 is an Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft capable of transporting cargo or passengers.

Before the Amazon flight, Beta’s Alia made a significant two-part cross-country flight, completing a 1,400-mile (2,250-kilometre) journey across six US states. The Alia flew from its flight test centre in northern New York and travelled across Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas over several days, recharging its batteries along the way.  

Amazon  flight

On June 23^rd, Beta’s Alia electric prototype demonstrator departed from Amazon Air’s “Superhub” at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (KCVG) and flew approximately 60 nautical miles to the company’s sorting hub at Wilmington Air Park (KILN) outside Dayton, Ohio.

“Beta Technologies continues to take steps forward in electrifying the aviation industry and reducing its impact on our environment, and we are thrilled to have them conduct their test flight between two Amazon Air hubs,” said Sarah Rhoads, vice president of Amazon Global Air in a news release. “The Alia test flight helped us continue to learn as we stay committed to our long-term goal of transforming our transportation network into a zero-emissions fleet.”

Amazon also announced an investment in Beta Technologies of an undisclosed amount, as part of Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, to support the Vermont-based company’s development of electric aircraft. The new infusion of capital comes a year after Amazon’s initial investment in Beta through the fund.

Before this latest undisclosed investment, Beta had reportedly secured nearly USD800 million in private investment, after receiving USD375 million in April.  

Beta already has a launch customer, United Therapeutics, which plans to use the aircraft to transport organs for human transplantation.

Orders

Last year, UPS Flight announced preliminary orders for ten Alia production aircraft, with an option for 150 more. Blade Urban Air Mobility has also reserved up to 20 orders for an Alia passenger variant to support Blade’s plans to transition to a more environmentally friendly fleet. 

The aircraft

Alia’s unique design includes an arched, 50-foot wing mounted high on a carbon-fibre fuselage, and battery-powered motors driving a single push propeller. The aircraft is expected to achieve a complete battery recharge after a full mission in less than an hour. Beta says it’s on track to receive FAA type certification by 2024.

Specifications:

The main purpose of this aircraft is to fly two people and cargo.

Beta has confirmed that Amazon is not yet a customer but believes that Amazon could use the aircraft in delivery of online goods. Beta’s future plans are to also make a passenger aircraft for up to six people, including a pilot.

Over the past year, Beta has significantly expanded their flight test program to include market survey flights with customers, conducting several successful real-life missions and proving the viability of electric aircraft.

The Alia aircraft is presently configured as a conventional fixed-wing in its cross-country flight tests. Beta hasn’t set a timeline for when it plans to complete transition flight from vertical to forward flight.

To bolster its flight test program, Beta is also working with the U.S. Air Force, as well as the U.S. Army.