The Pac, Newport News Showcase Electra’s Aviation Future

The Peninsula Airport Commission and the City of Newport News were proud to host a hybrid-electric aircraft demonstration at Newport News/Williamsburg Airport (PHF) today, showcasing how collaboration among local government, airport leadership, and private industry is helping prepare the region for the next generation of aviation.  

The demonstration was Electra’s first stop on a four-day, seven-node regional flight network throughout Virginia under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Advanced Air Mobility and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). It featured Electra’s EL2 Ultra Short technology demonstrator, which combines blown lift and hybrid-electric propulsion to take off and land in as little as 150 feet. This ultra-short capability lets the aircraft operate from spaces conventional airplanes can’t, including the shortest general aviation runways, soccer-field-sized open spaces, barges, or converted parking lots, bringing air service closer to where people live and work. By connecting communities directly instead of routing travelers through congested hub airports, the technology has the potential to make regional travel faster, more convenient, and more accessible. 

For the demonstration, the Electra aircraft flew from the National Capital Region to Newport News and then on to Richmond, simulating two of the region’s highest-demand travel routes. The EL9 could connect the Newport News area directly with Washington, DC, serving a busy corridor of nearly 12,000 trips a day while saving travelers more than two hours compared to driving. It could also save drivers from Newport News to Richmond, approximately 1 hour, a route that serves more than 16,000 trips a day.

The demonstration was held in coordination with the Virginia Department of Aviation, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (eIPP lead), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It highlighted Newport News’ and PHF’s commitment to supporting innovation, attracting aerospace investment, improving connectivity for the region, and the continued positioning of PHF as a hub for emerging aviation technologies. City leaders, Peninsula Airport Commissioners, airport officials, elected officials, regional economic development professionals, and community stakeholders experienced firsthand an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft in action, and a view of new economic growth potential for PHF.  

“The future of aviation is beginning to take shape, and Newport News has an opportunity to be part of that progress,” said Mayor Phillip Jones. “By bringing together industry, airport leadership, and local government, demonstrations like this and our partnership with Electra help us better understand the technology, build important relationships, and identify where our community can compete. This event builds on our broader efforts to strengthen PHF while also positioning Newport News for future aviation investment.”

Based in Manassas, Virginia, Electra’s mission is to transform regional air mobility through hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft that make air service possible from locations previously impractical for conventional airplanes, opening new possibilities for connecting communities while reducing operating costs and environmental impacts. Today’s demonstration was also an important opportunity for the company and the FAA to collect data on its aircraft.

“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the Airport, the City of Newport News, and Atlantic Aviation to demonstrate our technology in a community that shares our vision for the future of aviation,” said Parker Vascik, Electra’s Director of Product Strategy. “Strong partnerships with forward-thinking communities such as Newport News are essential to advancing the next generation of air mobility. The PHF operation is an exciting first for the industry as we worked closely with the airport and FAA to demonstrate how an Ultra Short aircraft can operate from a taxiway, just like a helicopter, to enhance airport efficiency and reduce runway congestion, but with the price point, safety, and passenger capacity of an aircraft.”

The demonstration advances the City and Peninsula Airport Commission’s broader vision for PHF as more than a commercial airport. By creating opportunities for aerospace companies, research organizations, and aviation partners to test technologies and collaborate, PHF can support innovation, aviation manufacturing, workforce development, and future private investment.

“Demonstrations of this kind at our airport support the City and Peninsula Airport Commission’s long-term vision of transforming PHF into an innovation ecosystem where emerging aerospace companies, research organizations, and aviation partners can collaborate to advance next-generation technologies,” said Lindsey Carney-Smith, Chair of the Peninsula Airport Commission. 

“The aviation industry is entering a period of tremendous innovation, and airports like PHF have an opportunity to help shape that future,” said Chris Morello, Executive Director of the Newport News/Williamsburg Airport. “We were thrilled to host Electra’s flight operations and witness its incredible and unique capabilities, while also getting a glimpse of PHF’s future in advanced aviation.”

The Airport and the City of Newport News partnered with Atlantic Aviation to host the demonstration audience.

As Virginia continues to advance emerging aviation technologies, partnerships with companies such as Electra can help position Newport News and PHF to compete for new aerospace opportunities, create high-skilled jobs, and contribute to the industry’s future growth.