Aviation is moving into a new frontier — electric-powered planes.
Many startups around the world are jumping on board, as is Textron Inc. By forming Textron eAviation 2 years ago and centering it in Wichita, the company placed the new venture in the heart of a traditional aircraft manufacturing city, hoping to complement its Cessna and Beechcraft lines.
Textron expects U.S. validation of one of its planes, the Pipistrel Velis Electro, by the end of this year or early next year.
"It's this new evolution that hasn't happened since probably the jet age, where you have these types of technologies that really redefine aviation and make an impact," said Tony LaCorte, director of external affairs for Textron eAviation. "We're redefining aviation."
The company has two electric aircraft lines — the Slovenian-produced Pipistrel and the Wichita-based eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) Nexus. After creating the eAviation division in 2021, Textron moved an air taxi program started by Bell to Wichita, as well.
Textron (NYSE: TXT) bought Pipistrel, the pioneer of electric planes, in April 2022 for approximately $241 million. Pipistrel designed and manufactured the world’s first certified electric aircraft — the Velis Electro, a two-seat training plane.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency certified the plane in May 2020. Although it can fly throughout Europe, the Federal Aviation Administration has not certified the aircraft or any other electric aircraft.
Flying an electric plane takes some getting used to, but Textron Aviation and eAviation test pilot Andrew Thorson said it's an easy transition.
"It's very responsive," he said. "There's no lag with the electric motor; it's a smaller and lighter airplane all around — the engine is instantaneous. When you push the throttle up, you're gonna go, or when you pull it back, the engine's gonna shut off."
Even without certification, the U.S. military has its eyes on the fume-less aircraft. The Air Force's Agility Prime announced in late October it will examine the capabilities of the the Pipistrel Velis Electro. Agility Prime is the Air Force's vertical lift program that works with eVTOL zero emissions aircrafts.
Textron eAviation making a family of electric planes
In addition to the Pipistrel, Textron eAviation is in the process of developing an electric plane in Wichita — the eVTOL aircraft, Nexus. Cross pollination between the Pipistrel and the Nexus is helpful.
"A lot of the learnings and the technologies that Pipistrel helped evolve are being utilized as a foundation for the Nexus itself, as well as the work that they've previously accomplished," LaCorte said.
Wind tunnel testing for the aircraft started in July. LaCorte expects the plane to be ready by sometime in 2024.
"This aircraft is being built right now," LaCorte said. "It should be flying by the end of next year as a demonstrator vehicle."
But in addition to the technology being viable, the plane needs to be economically viable, LaCorte said.
Nexus will be part of a family of aircrafts, allowing for urban and rural air taxi service, cargo and emergency medical service markets. LaCorte expects commercial service to start around 2030 at the earliest.
"We're offering more than just an electric aircraft; we're offering an electric family of systems," LaCorte said. "Right now, it's about socializing a platform to see what customer base really looks like."
LaCorte thinks the startup mentality of Textron eAviation is what makes it work, from working with local suppliers to a century-old history in the aircraft industry. But the field is open and others are trying their hand at the new technology.
"I think we have an advantage when it comes to our people and our processes over others," he said. "But you can never discount people that have an energy behind them in an innovative and pioneering spirit."
