Photo: Surf Air
"Turn your region into your neighborhood" is more than a catchy slogan; it gives a glimpse into the wide possibilities of air mobility in the near future. Surf Air Mobility wants to turn them into reality and will do so with the help of a unique eSTOL (electric short takeoff and landing).
With the prospect of new-generation aircraft taking to the sky soon, young and ambitious aviation operators are also ready to bring a fresh perspective on regional or urban air mobility. Surf Air Mobility has a unique approach. It's so committed to supporting electrified aviation that it will not only operate electric alternative aircraft such as the Electra eSTOL but also develop its own electric powertrain for retrofitting existing aircraft – more specifically, Textron's Cessna Grand Caravan.
In anticipation of this exclusive collaboration with Textron Aviation coming to fruition, Surf Air has already made a bold move toward purely electric operations. It recently secured early delivery for 90 Electra aircraft. Surf Air plans to integrate them into its national flight network, which includes Southern Airways Express and Mokulele Airlines. Plus, the two will also establish the future routes for the Electra eSTOL together.
One of the most important advantages of aircraft like the Electra is their compatibility with smaller airports and minimal infrastructure. By bypassing huge commercial airports, passengers can save precious time and support sustainability as well.
Surf Air promises that electrified alternatives could reduce a Los Angeles-San Diego trip to just one and a half hours. Conventional flight makes this a more than three hours trip, while driving would also take at least two hours. This is just a simple example of what efficient, zero-emission aircraft could bring to the table.
The Electra eSTOL is famously known for its ability to take off and land within just 150 feet (45.7 meters). A hybrid-electric propulsion solution enables this eSTOL to ensure better range compared to eVTOLs, which makes it a great option for regional service.
The impressive 500-mile (804 km) range is coupled with a cruising speed of 175 knots (324 kph) that it can sustain even in challenging weather conditions. Capacity-wise, the Electra aircraft is also much more suitable for regional operations than electric air taxis due to its ability to carry up to nine passengers; in the cargo configuration, it can take to the sky with 2,500 lbs (1,133 kg) of cargo onboard.
This recent 90-unit order from Surf Air also confirms Electra's commercial success. At the beginning of the year, the eSTOL maker was proud to announce it had secured pre-orders for more than 2,000 aircraft worth up to $8 billion. The US Air Force also pumped $85 million into the development of this innovative hybrid aircraft.
In anticipation of this exclusive collaboration with Textron Aviation coming to fruition, Surf Air has already made a bold move toward purely electric operations. It recently secured early delivery for 90 Electra aircraft. Surf Air plans to integrate them into its national flight network, which includes Southern Airways Express and Mokulele Airlines. Plus, the two will also establish the future routes for the Electra eSTOL together.
One of the most important advantages of aircraft like the Electra is their compatibility with smaller airports and minimal infrastructure. By bypassing huge commercial airports, passengers can save precious time and support sustainability as well.
Surf Air promises that electrified alternatives could reduce a Los Angeles-San Diego trip to just one and a half hours. Conventional flight makes this a more than three hours trip, while driving would also take at least two hours. This is just a simple example of what efficient, zero-emission aircraft could bring to the table.
The Electra eSTOL is famously known for its ability to take off and land within just 150 feet (45.7 meters). A hybrid-electric propulsion solution enables this eSTOL to ensure better range compared to eVTOLs, which makes it a great option for regional service.
The impressive 500-mile (804 km) range is coupled with a cruising speed of 175 knots (324 kph) that it can sustain even in challenging weather conditions. Capacity-wise, the Electra aircraft is also much more suitable for regional operations than electric air taxis due to its ability to carry up to nine passengers; in the cargo configuration, it can take to the sky with 2,500 lbs (1,133 kg) of cargo onboard.
This recent 90-unit order from Surf Air also confirms Electra's commercial success. At the beginning of the year, the eSTOL maker was proud to announce it had secured pre-orders for more than 2,000 aircraft worth up to $8 billion. The US Air Force also pumped $85 million into the development of this innovative hybrid aircraft.
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