Electra CEO Marc Allen’s mission to help change the landscape of air transportation has its roots in his experience at The Boeing Company. Allen said serving key leadership roles at the industry icon provided a “unique perch” to learn about disruptive mobility efforts in the aviation industry.
There, as head of all venture businesses, Allen chaired Boeing subsidiary Wisk Aero and interacted with virtually all of the active advanced air mobility (AAM) companies. During a sabbatical in 2024, Allen realized he wanted to remain in aviation and play a role in shaping its future. He looked for a company with three characteristics: a practical business model, technology that’s within reach and regulatory viability.
Allen found these three things at Electra, based in Manassas, VA.
Electra’s EL9 Ultra Short is designed to have a range of approximately 1,100 nm with a 45-minute reserve and a takeoff roll of only 150 feet.
The aircraft is intended to be certificated under existing Part 23 requirements as a small airplane. Pilots will be required to hold a private airplane certificate, or higher, with a multi-engine land rating. Some type-specific training will be necessary, but no type rating will be required to fly the airplane. Pilots will fly under existing operating rules.
The simplicity of the regulatory framework, Allen said, belies how transformative the aircraft will be for air transportation. An operator might use EL9s to conduct passenger operations that would replace some turboprop missions. Allen said an operator could use helicopter departure areas to avoid long lines and save on fuel burn.
“We want to provide affordable air travel without airports, emissions or noise.”
“Electra is very mission-minded,” Allen continued. “We want to provide affordable air travel without airports, emissions or noise.”
Although it’s a hybrid-electric, the EL9 doesn’t require special infrastructure and won’t be limited to specific airports, providing maximum flexibility to operators. The ultra short takeoff and landing roll should also enable operators to skip long lines at congested airports and use alternative takeoff and landing zones, including some designated for helicopters. Operation costs will be lower than jet fuel-burning aircraft, with a smaller noise footprint and lower emissions.
The EL9 is on track to enter service in 2029, which will represent an important step toward Allen’s dream to help shape a new horizon for aviation.
CEO Marc Allen joined Electra after serving in executive roles at The Boeing Company. He chaired the world’s largest anti-slavery NGO, the International Justice Mission, and serves on the boards of Procter & Gamble, The Trilateral Commission, the JFK Library Foundation and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. Allen holds degrees from Princeton University and Yale Law School and also clerked for former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.