BETA Technologies, a Vermont-based developer of electric aircraft and systems, has shared video footage of its ALIA eVTOL transitioning from vertical takeoff to forward propulsion in its latest test. This is a major milestone for the company as it seeks certification for the aircraft ahead of several use cases.
BETA Technologies has been developing its ALIA eVTOL since 2021. The aircraft was originally known as the ALIA VTOL but was later renamed to reflect its ability to perform both vertical and conventional takeoffs and landings (eCTOL). BETA Technologies has also been working on the ALIA eCTOL, an electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) plane that has logged hundreds of test miles to date and is targeting full approval for commercial operations by 2025.
The US Air Force project AFWERX has been a long-time collaborator with BETA Technologies, helping develop its eVTOL and eCTOL technology. Recent updates have included significant progress with the ALIA eCTOL, including international flights to Canada and a successful testing deployment with the US Air Force.
However, BETA has recently been touting a key milestone in the development of its ALIA eVTOL: the transition from vertical takeoff to forward flight while in the air. The company has released a five-minute flight video that gives viewers an idea of the preparation and testing that went into the eVTOL’s first transitional flight.
While the transition may seem simple at first glance, it is a complex engineering challenge to design an aircraft capable of taking off in one direction and then adjusting its rotors to move on an entirely different axis, all while in the air. BETA stressed the importance of this eVTOL flight test milestone because it validates the ALIA’s “lift and cruise” design.
BETA believes that its eVTOL design can be certified more quickly than competing designs due to its simpler approach to runway independence. Additionally, the company claims that its eVTOL design significantly reduces maintenance and cost while increasing flight reliability and safety, all without any air pollution.
Looking ahead, BETA says the ALIA aircraft will be used by the military first, then cargo carriers and commercial passenger operations. The ALIA eVTOL transition test seen in the video was piloted by Nate Moyer, BETA test pilot and former experimental test pilot for the US Air Force.
