“The project builds on Norway’s established international test arena and aims to generate operational, regulatory and market knowledge supporting the introduction of electric and hybrid‑electric aircraft,” according to a joint press release.
Electra’s hybrid-electric airplane operates from ultra-short access points, the size of a football pitch/soccer field, and dramatically reduces travel times by flying directly across terrain and waterways that make surface transportation frustrating and slow, said the press statement. Under the agreement, Electra and Bristow will conduct demonstrations involving Electra’s hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft. The goal is to examine the possibilities of novel aircraft operations to transform regional mobility networks, unlocking capabilities not possible with a conventional aircraft or even a helicopter.
“The demonstration flights will focus on several use cases, including integration of ultra‑short operations at existing short runways, the use of novel access points like parking lots, drone pads or fields to support unserved or underserved communities, and the ability to feed services into major hub airports without adding congestion,” said the statement. “Each demonstration will provide insight into emissions reductions, novel operational concepts, and the scalability of regional air mobility services. Structured testing under Norway’s regulatory sandbox will also give regulators practical insight into how these operations can be evaluated and supported.
Testing will be carried out in phases, progressing from operations at smaller airports in Northern Norway, to testing from novel or adapted access points, and finally, to operations feeding into a major Norwegian aviation hub. Exact test locations will be defined during the preparation phase and concluded within approximately six months, with the aim of commencing test operations mid-2027. Building on experience from the first international test project, the programme moves beyond route‑specific testing to broader exploration of operational, infrastructural and regulatory aspects. In doing so, it strengthens the test arena as a platform for systematic learning and represents a further step toward the phased introduction of zero‑ and low‑emission aviation technologies.
For more information
https://www.bristowgroup.com/
(Image: Electra’s hybrid-electric EL9 Ultra Short nine-passenger aircraft will serve regional travel routes in the 80-800 km range)