It's a bird, it's a plane, it's an eCTOL

Beta is go for launch

The ALIA Platform

I’m looking at you, eCTOL

Could have sworn that I covered this before. Looked through my posts, didn’t see anything. Anyway - what the heck does eCTOL stand for and why another goddamned acronym. It took me a few minutes to realize that CTOL is just an acronym for a standard fixed-wing aircraft (snooze). 2 points deducted for missing that one.

Then, I realized that Beta (the company I’m talking about) has two designs, and one is a VTOL, some some very cool rotors on top. The picture above is from the VTOL model.

The design is inspired by nature, ALIA is a simple platform that enables new modes of transportation. The aircraft are designed using first principles of physics to fly in the safest, most efficient way possible. They utilize BETA’s patented electric propulsion systems and produce zero operational emissions. Both aircraft have an exceptionally aerodynamic form factor, a light weight structure, and carry advanced energy-dense batteries. The aircraft has a 50 foot wingspan and will carry up to 5 people and a pilot. (that’s a straight rip from their site)

coolest and weirdest rotors i’ve seen

confusion solved?

Two things that I thought were noteworthy about this whole thing, first the specs and then some other important stuff:

ALIA CTOL

The fixed-wing ALIA CTOL enables airport-to-airport missions while maximizing range and payload.

ALIA VTOL

The ALIA VTOL has the ability to take-off and land vertically. Its simple lift-plus-cruise design unlocks new, point-to-point missions in the vertical dimension.

Kyle testifies in front of Congress

Alongside other key industry leaders, Kyle testified in front of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure's Subcommittee on Aviation as a part of Congress' FAA Reauthorization process, discussing the promise that advanced air mobility has for the future of American aviation and what needs to happen to make it a reality.

i bet they were nervous

First Lady and U.S. Secretary of Education Visit BETA

In April, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visited BETA as a part of a four-state tour highlighting American programs to promote workforce development. Dr. Biden and Sec. Cardona were both able to hear from two BETA interns about their experience at the company, how it has shaped their education both in and out of the classroom, and how it has influenced their career trajectory.

These two little news snippets seem pretty important and I’m sensing that Beta is going places - although it may remain in Beta as long as the name stays the same.

Here’s the link: https://www.beta.team/aircraft/