“Electra doesn’t have ‘the complication others face of going through a still untested certification pathway,’” Aerospace America reported. “This [Part 23] is a certification pathway that’s well understood, and we have a team that’s gone through that pathway dozens and dozens of times.” “That rewrite of Part 23 is going to significantly facilitate our pathway through certification, just as the FAA intended,” the outlet added.
Electra has submitted its application to certify the nine-seat EL9 for commercial and military use and has expanded its footprint at Manassas Regional Airport, where it is building its first aircraft and displaying a full-size mockup. Flight tests are planned to begin in 2027, followed by three prototypes for FAA pilot evaluations. The EL9 is designed for ultra-short takeoffs and landings enabled by blown-lift aerodynamics, and the company is evaluating a future manufacturing site to support mass production.
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