GoKawiilBeta Technologies advances Alia electric aircraft toward commercial flight
Beta Technologies flew its Alia CX300 electric aircraft on a demonstration flight from Burlington, Vermont, piloted by Chris Caputo, showing the plane's fly-by-wire controls and quiet electric propulsion. The company says a half-hour flight costs about $9 in electricity, compared with roughly $210-$255 in jet fuel for a similar flight in a Cessna 208 Caravan. Beta also reports a backlog of nearly 1,000 orders and purchase options for its aircraft, which are being assembled at its South Burlington facility.