Electra’s nine-passenger hybrid-electric aircraft is to begin flight trials in Norway in 2027 under a partnership with helicopter operator Bristow Group, airport operator Avinor and the country’s Civil Aviation Authority.
The demonstrations will involve Electra’s EL9 Ultra Short aircraft, which uses distributed electric propulsion and blown-lift technology to achieve take-offs and landings in as little as 150ft (46m).
The Norwegian flight trials aim to examine novel aircraft operations that could transform regional mobility networks, unlocking capabilities not possible with a conventional aircraft or even a helicopter.
Test flights will focus on several use cases, including operations from existing short runways, novel access points such as parking lots, drone pads or open fields, and feeder services into major hub airports.
Each demonstration is planned to provide data on emissions reductions, operational concepts and the scalability of regional air mobility services.
Testing will be carried out in phases, beginning at smaller airports in northern Norway, progressing to adapted or novel access points, and concluding with operations feeding into a major Norwegian aviation hub. Test locations are to be finalized within six months, with flight operations planned to start in mid-2027.
The program will run under Norway’s regulatory sandbox, the same framework that supported Beta Technologies’ battery-electric Alia flight test campaign operated by Bristow between Stavanger and Bergen, which concluded in January 2026.
“With over 75 years of operating experience, Bristow knows what it takes to turn promising technology into practical operations, That’s what makes our work with Electra so important” said Dave Stepanek, executive vice president and chief transformation officer at Bristow Group.
“Electra’s hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft opens the door to lowering emissions and new connectivity beyond the limits of traditional aircraft,” said Diana Siegel, vice president of commercial programs at Electra. “Realizing that potential requires the right ecosystem. Partnering with Bristow, Avinor, and the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority brings together operations, infrastructure and regulation to demonstrate novel operations at both existing airfields and new access points.”
Electra and Bristow signed a pre-delivery payment agreement in January 2026 securing the operator’s first EL9 delivery slot. The aircraft is being developed toward certification under US Federal Aviation Administration Part 23 regulations, with service entry targeted for 2029.
