Well done to all in Vermont, I have been following ALIA closely, flying it too much in X-Plane and generally enjoying the vibe coming out of BETA Technologies. They are the most aviation of all the flying car start ups. They also have a noticible people based mindset. Good things all around.
Founded in 2017 by entrepreneur Kyle Clark, Beta Technologies is a company at the forefront of electric aviation. Their main focus is developing electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, a new type of aircraft designed for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). This essentially means flying taxis that can take off and land vertically, making them perfect for short-distance urban transportation.
In March 2023, Beta Technologies announced they’re expanding their horizons. They’ll also be manufacturing and selling electric Conventional Take-Off and Landing (eCTOL) aircraft alongside their eVTOL models.
Beta Technologies’ star is the ALIA-250, a five-seater eVTOL that can also be used for transporting cargo. It’s designed with simplicity and efficiency in mind. The fewer moving parts, the less likely something is to go wrong, making safety a top priority. The aircraft is also built to be lightweight, allowing it to carry more battery power for a longer range of 250 miles (500 km). This extended range makes the ALIA-250 perfect for missions like transporting organs between hospitals for transplants.
The ALIA-250’s design is as unique as its function. Inspired by the Arctic Tern, a long-distance migratory bird, the aircraft boasts a high, arched wing, a large V-shaped tail, and fixed landing gear. This design choice reduces complexity, making the aircraft cheaper to manufacture, easier to maintain, and safer to operate. It also speeds up the certification process, getting the ALIA-250 into service sooner.
