FAA Issues First-Ever eVTOL Market Survey Certificate to BETA Technologies' ALIA A250
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on October 21 that it has issued the first-ever Special Airworthiness Certificate for market surveys for an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, to BETA Technologies of South Burlington, Vermont, for its ALIA A250. Issued under Part 21 of the federal aviation regulations, the certificate allows BETA to conduct flights with prospective customers, operators and other stakeholders so they can experience the all-electric aircraft firsthand. BETA's conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft had previously received a similar authorization.
The A250 completed its first flight under the new authorization on October 20, taking off vertically from Plattsburgh International Airport in New York, transitioning to wing-borne flight, and landing vertically at Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport in Vermont, covering 34 nautical miles in 20 minutes. The aircraft has dual pilot controls and is designed to carry up to five passengers and more than 1,200 pounds of cargo for cargo, medical, defense and passenger missions; BETA's CTOL and VTOL fleets have together flown more than 250,000 nautical miles.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy called the certification another critical step toward enabling the future of flight in America. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency is committed to working with American innovators to safely integrate new aircraft into the national airspace while maintaining rigorous safety standards. BETA founder and CEO Kyle Clark said operators can now experience vertical flight firsthand and begin planning how it fits into their businesses, as the company works toward full type certification and commercial operations.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：BETA Technologies 的 ALIA A250 电动垂直起降飞机俯视图（资料图）。BETA Technologies 供图，CC BY-SA 3.0，取自维基共享资源。Photo: Top view of BETA Technologies' ALIA A250 electric VTOL aircraft (file photo). By BETA Technologies, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
