BETA’s First Production Electric Plane Takes Flight

22 hours ago Editor

BETA Technologies’ milestone achievement sees its first production-line electric aircraft roll off the manufacturing line in Vermont, marking a pivotal step toward the commercialization of electric aviation.

BETA Technologies has made a groundbreaking leap in electric aviation, rolling out its first production-line electric plane from its newly certified manufacturing facility in Vermont. This milestone comes as a testament to BETA’s commitment and rapid progress in the industry, having been recognized as a top contender by analysts as early as 2021.

The new facility in South Burlington, spanning 200,000 square feet, was completed in October 2023 and can produce up to 300 aircraft annually, making it the first scaled production site for electric planes in the U.S. In just under a year, BETA has transitioned from acquiring its manufacturing space to rolling out the Alia CX300 CTOL, a fixed-wing aircraft certified for experimental research by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Unlike its counterpart, the A250 VTOL, which can take off vertically, the CX300 follows a traditional runway takeoff. The company has logged over 22,000 flight hours, demonstrating its capabilities and eyeing full certification by 2025. The successful debut flight of the CX300 was piloted by BETA’s founder and CEO, Kyle Clark, symbolizing the company’s transition from prototype testing to full production.

Adding to the excitement, BETA recently secured $318 million in Series C funding, reinforcing its vision and investor confidence. Clark expressed his gratitude for the trust shown by investors, highlighting the ongoing journey toward sustainable electric aviation.