Vermont-based electric aircraft developer Beta Technologies recently reopened its doors to one of its key launch customers and early supporters of the company.
As one of the interested buyers and future operators of Beta’s yet-to-be-certified electric aircraft, United Therapeutics provided what Beta called its first-ever customer review of the full-syllabus pilot training program for its eCTOL aircraft — a near identical fixed-wing version of Beta’s Alia-250 powered-lift eVTOL model.
Over the course of three days, United Therapeutics went through the pilot training program that covered foundational academics, normal and emergency procedures, and operational employment of the eCTOL aircraft.
The team reviewed aircraft manuals, aircraft limitations, and novel technologies, among other topics, before completing simulator rehearsals and two flight events in a simulator. This included a fully-vetted instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan and a visual flight rules (VFR) mission on routes that United Therapeutics plans to operate once the aircraft are in service.
For Beta’s eCTOL, that could be as early as next year as the firm works to certify the type under the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) part 23 regulations. Meanwhile, type certification of its eVTOL version is expected the following year under the powered-lift category.
Beta said that working with the Quebec-based biotechnology company to review the eCTOL pilot training program ahead of aircraft delivery marks an important next step in preparing part 135 operators to fly the Alia eCTOL.
“As Beta prepares to deliver initial aircraft to customers, this tailored curriculum will be approved by the FAA through the operator’s Flight Standards District Office,” the company said.
Over the course of four years of flight testing, Beta has trained more than eight of its own pilots to fly its eCTOL aircraft. The company has also guided pilots from the FAA, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Army through eCTOL pilot training, which led to the successful qualitative evaluation flights in its conventional airplane. Along with United Therapeutics, Beta has also provided eCTOL pilot training to its other customers, UPS and Bristow.
eVTOL pilot training
Earlier this month, Beta received authorization from the U.S. aviation authority to allow the company’s eight test pilots to offer dual-seat pilot training to additional manufacturer and FAA personnel in its eVTOL aircraft.
Beta calls the milestone a “strong vote of confidence from the FAA in Beta’s safety-conscious approach to training.”
“This new authorization marks a key step toward certification,” a Beta spokesperson said. “It enables Beta’s flight test cadre to prepare to begin for-credit flight testing and train the FAA aviation safety inspector and other FAA personnel who will ultimately help certify the aircraft.”
Beta’s decision to design its aircraft with dual-flight controls puts the company at an advantage in meeting the FAA’s proposed special federal aviation regulations (SFAR) for powered-lift pilot training. However, the FAA is considering an exception to the requirement as many in the industry have deemed it as a “legacy-based rule.”
Beta said it is also working on a standalone eVTOL simulator product that aims to meet FAA requirements for a qualified training device.
