Beta Technologies lands orders for fixed-wing electric aircraft

Beta Technologies is pursuing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for a fixed-wing electric airplane after receiving orders from three customers, the company announced Tuesday.

The privately-held, Vermont-based startup sees certification of the CX 300 – a conventional takeoff and landing version of its Alia 250 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft – as a path to introduce an electric aircraft into U.S. airspace under existing regulations, Chief Executive Kyle Clark told Reuters.

“It’s a step-by-step pragmatic approach,” Clark said. “We can deal in one step with the introduction of electric propulsion, and then in the next step, the introduction of vertical capabilities, and then the next step, the introduction of passenger service.”