SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt., - BETA Technologies and Blade Urban Air Mobility announced a binding agreement through which Blade will secure up to 20 BETA Electric Vertical Aircraft, becoming the Company's first passenger service customer. The news comes on the heels of last week's announcement by UPS that it would buy up to 150 BETA EVA aircraft, plus charging stations, as part of that company's long-term solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Founded in 2017, BETA and its team of aerospace engineers are building an electric powered ecosystem for aviation, the heart of which is ALIA, the electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that can carry up to six people or three standard cargo pallets.
BETA's ALIA aircraft includes a novel combination of elements that create a smooth, quiet flying experience, with applications for moving both people and cargo, all while producing zero operational emissions. ALIA will be capable of flying 250 nautical miles on a single charge and carrying six people or three standard cargo pallets and a pilot. Charging will be completed in less than 50 minutes. While flying, the aircraft will be more than 10x quieter than a helicopter, imperceptible over normal urban noise and quieter than cars on a highway.
