✈ Company unveils new electric aircraft at Atlantic City Airport

✈ Ongoing discussions to provide beta facilities for ACY

✈ Applications for deliveries and commercial air travel

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – An aviation company is being lured to Atlantic County after demonstrating an electric plane that could dramatically reduce the cost of passenger travel and shipping.

The fixed-wing aircraft, developed by BETA Technologies, took off from Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) on Monday morning, flying over Egg Harbor Township airspace in what could be a taste of what is to come.

With a range of 250 nautical miles, the ALIA aircraft has space for a pilot and five passengers using conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL). A full charge would take about an hour using the Vermont-based company’s proprietary Charge Cube technology.

According to Beta, there are 20 charging stations on the East and Gulf Coasts, and the company plans to build another 50 stations.

“As we move closer to bringing this technology to market, it is critical that the surrounding ecosystem is ready to support it. This transition will involve all of us and we look forward to continuing to work with our government partners and leaders across New Jersey,” said Blain Newton, Chief Operating Officer.

Beta claims that flying their electric aircraft is far cheaper than a typical single-engine plane.

A 200-nautical-mile flight would cost ALIA about $15 to $17 in electricity, compared to the $600 to $800 in jet fuel a Cessna Caravan would need for the same distance, senior engine engineer Manon Belzile told Vertical Magazine.

Talks about Beta Technologies settling at Atlantic City Airport

According to ACEA President Lauren Moore, the Atlantic County Economic Alliance has been working for several years to create a technology park for aerospace research and development.

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“We are continuing our dialogue with Beta Technologies and our goal is for the company to locate operations here in Atlantic County. This includes laboratory space and exploring charging technology opportunities at ACY,” Moore said.

Beta’s presentation on Monday could mean that talks to locate the company in South Jersey are progressing.

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Electric aircraft for deliveries

BETA’s electric plane could take to the skies this year bearing the United Parcel Service logo.

UPS agreed to purchase at least 10 electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVOTL) in 2021 for $4 million each. The eVOTL version of ALIA is similar to the fixed-wing version, except that it flies with four propellers – similar to the average drone.

BETA plans to deliver the aircraft later this year. UPS also has the option to purchase up to 150 of these aircraft.

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