The Aura Aero Era electric plane promises faster charging times than your phone…
Unless you’ve been asleep for the last five years, you’d be well aware of the abundance of electric cars by now. They’re quiet yet torquey, and really stick it to fossil fuels, but what about their aero equivalent? French startup Aura Aero have a contender – a shiny new sky toy known as the Era. Launched at the Paris Air Show, this flyer comes in both 9 and 19 seat layouts, ensuring that you’re never stuck next to someone with bad breath or bad small talk.
Just as electric cars have fewer moving parts than their petrol ancestors, the Era promises low maintenance – low enough to slash energy costs by 50% and emissions by 80%, compared to the current gen of conventionally powered aerials.
An eight engine setup, two turbo-generators, and four electric battery packs should be enough to give you a flight experience that rivals any electric supercar outing. Running low? A brief half hour in the pits, and you’re back sky high.
While airlines like Pan Europeenne Air Service are keen to switch to electric, and Afrijet are set to become the greener airline in Africa, the Era is poised to lead the charge – literally. Aura Aero have been dubbed the Tesla of aviation with good reason. They recently started production in the South of France, where they will manufacture the Era as well as a light two-seater called the ‘Integral E’ – wonder what the ‘E’ stands for?
While the prospect of electric flights is coming sooner than an interest rate cut, it’ll be a while before the Era will be heard across the airways. It’s expected to perform its first flight in 2026, enter commercial service in 2028, and rollout circa 2030.
Over 300 orders are already in the books, and with Airbus throwing its weight behind it too – it’s like having Ferrari sponsor your go kart.
By Bill Varetimidis
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