# Electra.aero

> Electra.aero is a Manassas, Virginia aerospace company building the EL9, a nine-passenger hybrid-electric 'Ultra Short' aircraft that takes off and lands in about 150 feet - roughly a soccer field - without conventional runways, charging stations, or the noise of a normal airplane. Using blown-lift aerodynamics and eight electric motors, it aims to open regional and community air travel from grass strips and small airfields while cutting emissions, with FAA Part 23 certification targeted for 2029.

- **Founded:** 2020
- **Headquarters:** Manassas, Virginia, United States
- **Founders:** John Langford (Founder & Chairman (founder of Aurora Flight Sciences))
- **Team size:** ~96 employees
- **Products:** EL9 Ultra Short, EL-2 Goldfinch
- **Notable:** EL-2 Goldfinch first piloted flight in November 2023 from Manassas Regional Airport, Demonstrated takeoffs in as little as 170 feet and landings under 115 feet at 25-knot approach speeds, Over 2,200 EL9 pre-orders from 60+ operators worth roughly $9 billion

## Products & services

- **EL9 Ultra Short** — A nine-passenger hybrid-electric production aircraft that takes off and lands in roughly 150 feet using blown-lift aerodynamics and eight electric motors. Range over 1,100 nautical miles, up to ~3,000 lb payload, with in-flight battery recharging that removes the need for ground charging infrastructure. Targeting FAA Part 23 certification and service entry in 2029.
- **EL-2 Goldfinch** — Two-seat hybrid-electric technology demonstrator that first flew in November 2023 and validated Electra's eSTOL blown-lift system, taking off in as little as 170 feet and landing in under 115 feet at airspeeds as low as 25 knots.

## Achievements

- EL-2 Goldfinch first piloted flight in November 2023 from Manassas Regional Airport
- Demonstrated takeoffs in as little as 170 feet and landings under 115 feet at 25-knot approach speeds
- Over 2,200 EL9 pre-orders from 60+ operators worth roughly $9 billion
- Closed a $115M Series B led by Prysm Capital in April 2025
- Won a U.S. Air Force STRATFI partnership valued up to $85M
- Selected by NASA for the AACES 2050 program; first piloted electric aircraft to fly at NASA Langley
- Filed FAA type certification application in December 2025
- Operates at roughly 75 decibels at 300 feet - far quieter than comparable aircraft

## Latest updates

- **2026-01** — Bristow Group secured the first EL9 delivery slot as operational launch partner.
- **2025-12** — Electra filed its FAA type certification application for the EL9.
- **2025-04** — Closed $115M Series B led by Prysm Capital to advance EL9 toward pre-production and certification.
- **2025-03** — EL9 pre-orders reached 2,200 units, valued near $9 billion.
- **2024-11** — Revealed the production design of the EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft.
- **2024-08** — B. Marc Allen, former Boeing Chief Strategy Officer, appointed CEO.

## Links

- Website: https://electra.aero
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/electra-aero
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ElectraAero
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Electraaero
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/people/Electraaero/100057108863908/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/electra-aero
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-15