Flight Testing Announced for Full Scale eVTOL Demonstrator
By Abi Wylie
Textron eAviation will conduct flight testing for its Nexus eVTOL multi-mission, zero-emission demonstrator aircraft, designed to address global demand for sustainable aviation.
Textron Inc. company Textron eAviation Inc. will conduct flight testing for its Nexus electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) full-scale technology demonstrator aircraft at Salina Regional Airport (SLN).
The Nexus is a multi-mission aircraft designed to address the global demand for sustainable aviation solutions. This zero-emission aircraft, configured for one pilot and four passengers, is powered by a distributed electric propulsion system.
It features four tilting propellers and two aft stationary vertical rotors, enabling a wide range of applications such as passenger transport, public aircraft operations and cargo services.
This program, carried out in collaboration with the Salina Airport Authority, will follow the successful conclusion of initial restrained flight tests, which are planned for 2025 at the National Institute of Aviation Research facility in Wichita.
The flight test program at Salina Regional Airport will be instrumental in validating the aircraft’s full performance envelope.
Salina Regional Airport has established itself as a key site for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) testing, having hosted Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) operations under the Federal Aviation Administration’s Integration Pilot Program (IPP) and Beyond programs.
The airport’s leadership in UAS innovation is further bolstered by the presence of the Kansas State University Applied Aviation Research Center (AARC), which conducts cutting-edge UAS research and operations. Given its extensive history, proven success in UAS operations, and broad access to airspace, Salina Regional Airport is an ideal location for conducting these pivotal tests and advancing the future of aviation.
The remotely piloted flight-test program at Salina Regional Airport (SLN) will evaluate the Nexus eVTOL’s performance under various conditions, simulating a wide range of operational scenarios.
In addition to supporting the flight testing for the Nexus eVTOL, the collaboration among Kansas State University, the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) and Salina Regional Airport underscores their shared commitment to advancing aviation technology in Kansas.
Kriya Shortt, President & CEO of Textron eAviation, commented, ”Kansas boasts a rich aviation history, and we’re proud to work alongside the Salina Airport Authority to test these emerging technologies so close to home.
“The support and facilities provided by the Salina Airport Authority are vital as we advance towards bringing the Nexus eVTOL to market.”
