US aircraft developer Electra has selected Springfield, Ohio, as the site for the future series production of its EL9 Ultra Short aircraft. The company plans to build the new manufacturing facility on a 39-hectare site at AirPark Ohio, adjacent to Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport. According to Electra, the project is expected to create nearly 2,000 jobs.
Planning for the facility will begin immediately, while construction is scheduled to start in 2027. In its initial phase, the plant is designed to produce up to 400 aircraft per year, with capacity expected to double to 800 units annually in a later expansion. According to Electra, the company evaluated more than 140 potential locations before selecting Springfield, citing its existing test infrastructure and proximity to aviation and research facilities.
Hybrid-electric propulsion enables ultra-short take-offs
The EL9 is a nine-seat fixed-wing aircraft with a hybrid-electric propulsion system. Unlike eVTOLs, it uses conventional take-off and landing but is designed to operate from extremely short runways thanks to its blown-lift technology. Eight electric motors accelerate airflow over the wings and flaps to increase lift. According to Electra, the aircraft requires a take-off run of just 46 metres.
