Beta Technologies, Kyle Clark’s electric flight dream, is making inroads promoting clean aviation. It’s impressive enough an effort the Today Show called. Beta is not only capturing the attention of mainstream media in the U.S., but overseas with projects in Norway and New Zealand. The two countries are at extreme ends of the earth, but both share often cold climates, supposedly anethema to battery-powered vehicles. Electric Flight in a Country Courting EVs Despite its frigid northern latitude, Norway is on an electric roll. CNBC headlines, “Norway is set to become the first country to fully transition to electric vehicles.” The report shows a dramatic increase in EV acceptance. “The country’s electric vehicle sales have increased from less than 1% of total auto sales in 2010 to a whopping 88.9% last year.” CNBC notes, “Despite its vast oil and gas reserves, the Nordic country has long been recognized as a global leader in sustainable transportation.” Christina Bu, secretary general of the Norwegian …
Nudging, Then Doubling an Electric Distance Record
Suddenly, we’re seeing new electric aircraft nudging, then doubling an electric distance record. First, Autoflight in China and then Beta in America achieve higher ranges than that previously achieved by Joby. Jules Verne Saw It Coming In two late 19th-century novels, Robur the Conqueror and Master of the World, Jules Verne chronicled the fictional adventurers of a mad inventor who thought he could dissuade world leaders from practicing war by bombing them from his Albatross flying warship. A great deal like Captain Nemo of Nautilus fame, Robur uses violence to stop violence. Both protagonists fail in their efforts. The Albatross, mistaken as its objectives were, is perhaps an inspiration for today’s eVTOLs, propellers spinning for lift and for forward motion. Verne even prophesied fueling the Albatross with water, perhaps an early vision of today’s water-splitting to produce green hydrogen. Autoflight With far fewer rotors and propellers, Autoflight achieved a successful transition flight from vertical liftoff to forward flight. This delicate …