As aviation companies worldwide are trying to bring air travel closer to people’s lives, departing from a nearby parking space could soon become a reality in Norway.
The Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority announced this week the launch of a test project for hybrid aircraft that can take off and land at ‘ultra-short access points’ such as a parking lot or drone pad.
The US-based aviation startup Electra’s hybrid aircraft, Ultra Short EL9, does not require an airport or conventional runway. It can take off and land in as little as 50 meters, and needs a space the size of a football field.
“This project marks a new step in the further development of Norway’s international test arena for zero- and low-emission aviation,” said Jon-Ivar Nygård, Norwegian Minister of Transport, in an announcement by the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority and its partners.
“In a long and sparsely populated country like Norway, where aviation is essential for regional mobility and accessibility, it is particularly important to gain knowledge about how new solutions can be introduced in a safe and responsible manner when the technology is mature,” Nygård added.
