Norway unveils five sites for landmark hybrid-electric aircraft demonstrations in 2027

Bristow Group Inc., in partnership with Electra, Avinor and the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA Norway), will undertake a series of demonstration flights across five locations in Norway using Electra's hybrid-electric EL2 technology demonstrator. Designed for ultra-short takeoff and landing operations, the aircraft can operate from areas as short as 50 metres and combines electric propulsion with a turbogenerator powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The initiative is intended to generate valuable operational, regulatory and market insights that will help pave the way for the future introduction of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft services.

Three Distinct Operating Environments

The demonstration campaign has been structured to evaluate the aircraft across three different operating environments. Horvnes Quay near Sandnessjøen and Kongsbergporten Business Park will showcase operations from non-traditional landing sites where no established runways currently exist, highlighting the aircraft's potential to expand regional air connectivity.

Trondheim Airport and Oslo Airport will be used to assess how hybrid-electric aircraft operations can be integrated into larger and more complex airport ecosystems. Meanwhile, Mosjøen Airport has been selected as a representative short-runway airport in Northern Norway, providing an opportunity to evaluate the EL2's performance characteristics and validate new approach procedures tailored to next-generation aircraft operations.

Karianne Helland Strand, Executive Vice President Sustainability and Infrastructure at Avinor commented: “What matters is not the individual location itself, but that we are able to test the technology under different conditions and in different parts of the aviation system. This will give us insight into what is required in terms of infrastructure, airspace, procedures and regulations when new types of aircraft are ready to enter service in Norway.” 

Dave Stepanek, Bristow Executive Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer stated: “These locations will allow us to demonstrate the capabilities and operational flexibility of Electra’s ultra-short takeoff and landing aircraft across a range of operating environments while helping us better understand what will be required to safely integrate these technologies into future operations. With the locations now selected, we can begin detailed planning for next year's flight demonstrations.”

Diana Siegel, Vice President of Commercial Programs at Electra said: “Electra is showing how Ultra Short aircraft can expand regional travel, connecting cities and major airport hubs, with communities and destinations without traditional runways. This series of demonstrations lays the groundwork for a Direct Aviation ecosystem, bringing together regulations, policy, infrastructure, and aircraft operations to make more direct travel a practical option for more people.”

Jan Petter Steinland, Director of Innovation, Research and Sustainability at CAA Norway added: When we test new aircraft technologies in such a range of different scenarios, we will be able to assess whether the existing regulatory framework is fit for purpose. It is also valuable for us to build knowledge about how a new type of aircraft with specific characteristics can be safely integrated with other air traffic.”

Preparing for testing in 2027

The project is now entering its next phase. The partners will develop the detailed test program, obtain the necessary approvals, and prepare the locations. The first demonstration flight is planned for the third quarter of 2027.