Business Airport International
  • News
    • Accreditation
    • Aircraft
    • Airports
    • Charter
    • Construction
    • FBOs
    • Fuel
    • IT & Software
    • MRO
    • Partnerships
    • Passenger Experience
    • Sustainability
    • Technology
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • March / April 2025
    • Dec 2024 / Jan 2025
    • October 2024
    • July 2024
    • March / April 2024
    • Dec 2023 / Jan 2024
    • September / October 2023
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Surveys
  • Jobs
    • Browse Industry Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
  • Events
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
LinkedIn YouTube
Subscribe to Magazine Subscribe to Email Newsletter Media Pack
Business Airport International
  • News
      • Accreditation
      • Aircraft
      • Airports
      • Charter
      • Construction
      • FBOs
      • Fuel
      • IT & Software
      • MRO
      • Partnerships
      • Passenger Experience
      • Sustainability
      • Technology
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. March / April 2025
    2. Dec 2024 / Jan 2025
    3. October 2024
    4. July 2024
    5. March / April 2024
    6. Dec 2023 / Jan 2024
    7. September / October 2023
    8. July 2023
    9. Archive Issues
    10. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    2nd April 2025

    In this Issue – March / April

    Online Magazines By Paige Smith
    Recent

    In this Issue – March / April

    2nd April 2025

    In this Issue – December / January 2025

    19th December 2024

    In this Issue – October 2024

    10th October 2024
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Press Releases
  • Surveys
  • Jobs
    • Browse Industry Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
  • Events
LinkedIn YouTube
Business Airport International
Technology

Manned-eVTOL aircraft flown for the first time in New York

Ben SampsonBy Ben Sampson23rd February 20232 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
Alia 250
The Alia-250 eVTOL aircraft during the flight from Westchester County Airport (Image: Beta Technologies)

Beta Technologies and charter aviation company Blade have flown a piloted eVTOL aircraft for the frist time in the New York City region.

Beta’s Alia-250 performed the test flight from the Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York on February 16 after being flown from BETA’s testing facility in Plattsburgh. During the 13 minute flight, the Alia-250 flew alongside a Airbus H125 AStar chaser helicopter before pulling away for a second pass above the airport to demonstrate the difference in noise levels.

The Alia-250 is a five passenger eVTOL lift + cruise eVTOL that uses a distributed electric propulsion system with horizontal rotors, a single propeller at the rear and a 50ft wingspan (15m). The aircraft has a range of 290 miles (460km) and a top speed of 170 mph (270 km/h).

Rob Wiesenthal, CEO of Blade, which currently operates a helicopter charter business in New York and other cities around the world said. “This demonstration is a big milestone in our transition to electric vertical aircraft, and we are pleased that our partners at BETA have designed the right aircraft for use in our homebase of New York City.”

Kyle Clark, founder and CEO of Beta Technologies said, “We continue to progress our aircraft, flying real-life missions and gaining proficiency in the national airspace. We were glad to be able to fly here from our flight test facility in Plattsburgh to work with Blade to operationalize our partnership.”

According to Beta, the Alia-250’s noise profile is 90% less than conventional helicopters, suiting it to use in urban areas.

Blade has agreed to buy up to 20 Alia-250s for operation in the USA. BETA will also provide and install charging infrastructure at certain key locations as part of the deal.

Beta has been flight testing since 2018 and has two full-scale prototype aircraft it is using to progress towards certification and commercialization.

Beta also had test pilots from the US Air Force (USAF) and US Army fly the Alia-250 in March 2022 and July 2022 respectively, the first flights of an eVTOL by the USAF and US Army and the industry’s first manned qualitative evaluations.

Beta has also partnered with the FAA and the National Institute for Aviation Research in the first 50ft drop tests of its full-size battery packs.

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleTitan Aviation Fuels welcomes Jetscape to branded network
Next Article ExecuJet celebrates FBO success and heads for Avalon 2023
Ben Sampson

Ben has worked all of his career as a journalist and now editor, covering almost all aspects of technology, engineering and industry. In the last 20 years he has written on subjects from nuclear submarines and autonomous cars to future design and manufacturing technologies and commercial aviation. Latterly editor of a leading engineering magazine, he brings an eye for a great story and lots of experience to the team.

Related Posts

Aircraft

EASA introduces measures to reduce general aviation mid-air collisions

11th April 20252 Mins Read
Echelon Air reveals the future of flight training at London Biggin Hill Airport
News

Echelon Air reveals the future of flight training at London Biggin Hill Airport

1st April 20251 Min Read
Business Jet recently completed the first Starlink installation on the Embraer Legacy 600 certification aircraft
Aircraft

Business Jet installs Starlink on Legacy 600

5th March 20251 Min Read
Latest Posts
North Dakota FBO, Overland Aviation (KXWA), together with Avfuel Corporation, has accepted a delivery of sustainable aviation fuel, expanding accessibility of the fuel in a new region within the United States

Overland Aviation & Avfuel introduce SAF to Midwest

19th May 2025
Opul Jets has acquired Quinta Jets, a  jet charter company based in Quinta do Lago, Portugal

Opul Jets expands European presence with acquisition of Quinta Jets

19th May 2025
Euro Jet  has expanded its team of dedicated aviation professionals in all countries and major cities in the Baltic region

Euro Jet expands its Baltic operation

14th May 2025
Partner Content
Johanna Echeto, general manager, LZU

Q&A: Johanna Echeto, general manager, Sheltair, Gwinnett County Airport

29th April 2025
Supplier Spotlights
Our Social Channels
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Subscribe to Magazine
  • Meet the Writers
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
Related Topics
  • Aircraft Interiors
  • Air Traffic Technology
  • Aerospace Testing
  • Business Jet Interiors
FREE WEEKLY NEWS EMAIL!

Get the 'best of the week' from this website direct to your inbox every Tuesday


© 2023 Mark Allen Group Ltd | All Rights Reserved
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.