Beta Technologies

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BETA Technologies
Private
IndustryAerospace
Founded2017
FounderKyle Clark
HeadquartersBurlington, Vermont, United States
ProductsElectric aircraft and charging network
Number of employees
230 (May 2021)[1]
Websitebeta.team

Beta Technologies (stylized as BETA Technologies), is a Burlington, Vermont-based aerospace and electric aircraft manufacturer.[2] The company develops fully electric vertical take off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and a related charging network.

The company was founded by Kyle Clark in 2017.

History[]

BETA Technologies was incorporated in 2017 in Burlington, Vermont by Kyle Clark, an experienced pilot, engineer and entrepreneur.[3][4] In order to become the company's first test pilot, he learned to fly helicopters, and earned FAA qualifications for a powered lift rating.[4]

One of the company's early investors was United Therapeutics, which under founder and CEO Martine Rothblatt, was looking for efficient transportation methods for man-made organs intended for human transplant.[5] United Therapeutics awarded BETA a $48 million contract.[1][6]

On May 23, 2018, the company made the first tethered flight of its original 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) Ava XC eight motor, eight propeller battery-operated proof of concept aircraft.[6]

The company came out of stealth in January 2019.[5] That year, the Ava XC became the world’s heaviest eVTOL aircraft to fly.[5]

In February 2020, the company began participating in the United States Air Force Agility Prime program that seeks to advance electric air mobility. In May, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center announced that the company, along with Joby Aviation, would progress to the third phase of the program.[7][8] In June, the company unveiled its second aircraft prototype, ALIA-250.[9]

In March 2021, the ALIA-250 made a test flight from Plattsburgh, New York, across Lake Champlain to Burlington, Vermont.[10] In April, United Parcel Service (UPS) entered into a contract for ten ALIA-250 aircraft to be supplied in 2024, which included the option for UPS to acquire up to 150 more aircraft.[11] UPS announced it planned to have them travel directly to and from UPS facilities, rather than use airports.[12] In April, Blade Urban Air Mobility ordered 20 ALIA aircraft, becoming BETA's first passenger service company.[13]

Technology[]

The company uses electric motors as they are reportedly quieter and have a smaller carbon footprint with zero operational emissions compared to an equivalent gasoline engine, and require less maintenance.[5] The company claims they are also more efficient than combustion engines and have constant torque across all speeds, which enables control without helicopter-like complexity.[14]

Products[]

BETA Technologies develops eVTOL aircraft and a network of charging stations to support them.

ALIA eVTOL aircraft manufactured by BETA Technologies
  • ALIA-250 - BETA Technologies' second prototype is designed to charge in under an hour, and carry six passengers or cargo for up to 250 nautical miles (nmi), which is the basis for the model number.[15][16] Its wing design was inspired by the arctic tern, a migratory bird known for its long flights.[16] Its zero emission engines provide separate lift and thrust, as opposed to the tilt-rotor design of AVA, with a maximum range of 250 nm at a weight of 6,000 lbs, with a cruise speed of 105 knots.[15][citation needed] The four fixed rotors lift the aircraft, while the pusher-propeller creates propulsion for the cruise phase. During the transition from lift to cruise during takeoff, the lift engines stow and align with the booms of the aircraft for smoother aerodynamics. Flight is controlled by the rear propeller and wings, and for landing, the lifters transition back into use.[16]
BETA Technologies charging pad for aircraft
  • Charging network - BETA developed and prototyped charging stations for eVTOL aircraft made from recycled shipping containers and reused airplane batteries. The stations can be solar or grid powered and are customizable to an individual location with additional modules, such as storage, overnight lodging, and for maintenance.[5][17]

Operations[]

The company is headquartered at Burlington International Airport in South Burlington, Vermont, and they store and test their EVA (Electrical Vertical Aircraft) aircraft, ALIA, at Plattsburgh International Airport in Plattsburgh, New York.[5][16] As of May 2021, BETA Technologies had 230 full-time employees.[1]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c Brouwer, Derek (May 12, 2021). "Flight Path: BTV's Beta Technologies is on the Cusp of a Breakthrough for Electric Aviation". Seven Days. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  2. ^ Picard, Ken (2018-10-17). "Beta Technologies Races to Develop Electric Aviation". sevendaysvt.com. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  3. ^ "Beta Technologies: Flying clean, maybe saving lives". Vermont Biz. February 15, 2021. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Behind the controls of an eVTOL aircraft: A test pilot's perspective". eVTOL.com. February 7, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f "Beta Technologies, a Vermont Air Taxi Start-Up, Might Be About to Change the Aviation World". The Drive. January 11, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "US Air Force Primes the eVTOL Industry". eVTOL News. March 1, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  7. ^ "Beta and Joby advance in U.S. Air Force Agility Prime campaign". evtol.com. May 30, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  8. ^ "Beta, Joby advance in Air Race to Certification". aflcmc.af.mil. May 29, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  9. ^ Adams, Eric (June 15, 2021). "Beta unveils its new eVTOL: the avian-inspired Alia". evtol.com. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  10. ^ Adams, Eric (March 17, 2021). "Beta scores multiple milestones in quiet pursuit of electric flight". evtol.com. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  11. ^ Holland, Frank (April 8, 2021). "Beta hopes its electric vertical aircraft deal with UPS validates this new mode of transport". cnbc.com. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  12. ^ Head, Elan (April 7, 2021). "Beta Technologies announces deal with UPS for up to 150 eVTOL aircraft". evtol.com. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  13. ^ "Blade orders up to 20 eVTOL aircraft from Beta Technologies". Vertical. April 13, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  14. ^ Adams, Eric (January 10, 2019). "Snow Can't Stop the Edward Scissorhands of Flying Cars". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b "Beta Technologies ALIA". eVTOL News. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Adams, Eric (June 12, 2020). "A New Air Taxi Takes Design Cues From a Far-Flying Bird". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  17. ^ Adams, Eric (March 20, 2020). "A rest stop where flying cars can recharge". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved April 11, 2021.

External links[]

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