Flying directly across terrain and waterways, the new hybrid aeroplane will “dramatically reduce travel times,” according to the partners of the Norwegian project.
As aviation companies worldwide are trying to bring air travel closer to people’s lives, departing from a nearby parking space could soon become a reality in Norway.
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The Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority announced this week the launch of a test project for hybrid aircraft that can take off and land at ‘ultra-short access points’ such as a parking lot or drone pad.
The US-based aviation startup Electra’s hybrid aircraft, Ultra Short EL9, does not require an airport or conventional runway. It can take off and land in as little as 50 meters, and needs a space the size of a football field.
“This project marks a new step in the further development of Norway’s international test arena for zero- and low-emission aviation,” said Jon-Ivar Nygård, Norwegian Minister of Transport, in an announcement by the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority and its partners.
“In a long and sparsely populated country like Norway, where aviation is essential for regional mobility and accessibility, it is particularly important to gain knowledge about how new solutions can be introduced in a safe and responsible manner when the technology is mature,” Nygård added.
The project is a part of Norway's international test arena for zero‑ and low‑emission aviation, designed to speed up the introduction of zero- and low-emission aviation technologies through real-world testing and regulatory development.
Norwegian state-owned company Avinor and the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority are partnering with American aviation companies Bristow Group and Electra to test the short take-off and landing aircraft.
Enabling direct flyovers of waterways and challenging terrain, the project partners hope the hybrid aircraft can offer an alternative to hours-long car journeys while keeping emissions moderate.
The nine-passenger aircraft targets travel ranges between 80 and 800 km.
The Ultra Short EL9 could enable operations not possible with a conventional aircraft or even a helicopter, the company said. The aircraft could land in fields to support unserved or underserved communities, connecting them to airports in areas without existing air infrastructure.
Starting in 2027, testing will be carried out at smaller airports in Northern Norway and will expand to ‘novel access points’ without airports and a major Norwegian airport.
Small aviation services that aim to cut travel time, lower emissions, and ease urban congestion are a growing sector worldwide.
The US company Heart Aerospace is building a prototype hybrid aeroplane that can fly 400 km on battery power and sustainable aviation fuel. Meanwhile, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates plans to have flying cars in its skies by late 2026.
But currently, electric planes and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) face major challenges, such as battery life, air traffic control, and infrastructure issues.
The aviation industry across European countries is working to develop infrastructure for eVTOL aircraft. In 2018, the city of Geneva in Switzerland signed agreements to study drone taxis potentially taking to the skies. While airport operators in Italy and France are planning the rollout of air taxi services, but they have not announced when the services will become available.
