Electra.aero secures US patents for hybrid-electric blown-lift control system

Newly granted patents protect propulsion integration, power management and pilot interface systems for the nine-passenger EL9 Ultra Short aircraft.

Electra.aero has been granted a series of US patents protecting core components of its hybrid-electric propulsion and flight control architecture, designed to enable Ultra Short takeoff and landing while maintaining conventional aircraft performance and safety margins.

The patents cover systems and methods for controlling the flight path of a blown-lift aircraft (US Pat. #12384550), a pilot guidance display for that aircraft (US Pat. #12298151) and a battery disconnect system that improves maintenance, performance and safety (US Pat. #12489181).

Chris Courtin, Director of Technology Development at Electra, says: “Our patent portfolio protects our architecture and the ability to manage power, lift, and energy safety in a scalable hybrid-electric configuration. Where traditional aircraft rely on aerodynamic control surfaces, our distributed propulsion system makes the motors themselves an active flight control element. That improves precision, reduces workload, and makes Ultra Short aircraft fly like any other fixed wing aircraft.”

The flight path control patent describes a closed-loop system enabling pilots to command flight path angle through a single integrated power control interface. The onboard computing system dynamically adjusts thrust across multiple electric propulsion units to maintain the selected mode.

Electra’s hybrid-electric architecture uses a turbogenerator to supply continuous power to distributed electric propulsors, supporting long-range operations without reliance on ground charging infrastructure.

The company’s EL2 technology demonstrator has completed flight testing using the proprietary hybrid-electric propulsion system. Electra is advancing toward certification of its nine-passenger EL9 Ultra Short aircraft, with first test flights planned for 2027 and service entry anticipated in 2029 into 2030 under FAA Part 23 regulations.