Full Test Route with Electric Aircraft Between Stavanger and Bergen Completed for the First Time
A Bristow pilot, today, completed the route between Stavanger and Bergen with the electric aircraft ALIA, produced by BETA Technologies, in its entirety for the first time. The flight is part of Norway’s international test arena for zero- and low-emission aviation, and the route was flown to simulate cargo service.
The test arena is a partnership between Avinor, CAA Norway, Beta Technologies, and Bristow Norway and is designed to evaluate use cases and routes for zero- and low-emission aviation in the Nordic region. Today’s flight simulated a cargo service utilizing the Stavanger – Bergen route, which is the same route that will be flown regularly throughout the duration of the test arena.
From Stavanger to Bergen in 55 Minutes
The aircraft departed Stavanger Airport at 11:00 and spent a total of 55 minutes on the flight to Bergen. ALIA has an ultimate range of 400 km, making the 160 km distance between the two cities well within reach. The aircraft is single-engine, designed for single-pilot operations, and has a total payload capacity of 562 kg – equivalent to 5 passengers. It flies at speeds between 115 and 145 knots (210–270 km/h), comparable to a light aircraft.
«Stavanger to Bergen is a highly used route in today’s traditional flight operations for various missions,» said Dave Stepanek, Bristow’s Executive Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer. «This route makes up the cornerstone of this test arena and simulating a cargo mission on the full route was an important, and symbolic, first step in what will be several months of gathering critical data that will be useful in ushering in the next era of flight operations.»
“We’re glad to have flights between Stavanger and Bergen now in motion,” said Shawn Hall, BETA’s Chief Revenue Officer. “This phase is critical for capturing the real-world data needed to understand how electric aircraft can operate effectively in this unique landscape. It’s exciting for this partnership, and our aircraft, to play a key role in shaping the future of regional air mobility.”
“We are very pleased that the test flights between Stavanger and Bergen are now fully underway. This is an important milestone for Norway as an international test arena, and it will provide valuable insights into operational aspects both on the ground and in the air,” said Karianne Helland Strand, EVP Sustainability and Infrastructure at Avinor.
“We are learning each day how to support innovation and further understand and regulate new technologies. The Test Arena is taking significant steps, and we in the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway value the professional and safe conduct of the parties involved in making the first flight possible,” said Jan Petter Steinland, Director Strategic Analysis & Transformation at the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway
Test Flight in Three Phases
The test flight program is carried out in three phases, running from August through to January. The first flight took place from Stavanger on 8 August.
The initial phase, with takeoffs and landings in Stavanger, consisted of visual flights and familiarization with the aircraft for pilots as well as ground and tower personnel. Phase two will focus on operational maturity and full-route flights between Stavanger and Bergen. In phase three, the aircraft will operate under instrument flight rules.
Avinor and the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway have established Norway as an international test arena to prepare the aviation ecosystem for zero- and low-emission aircraft and to lay the foundation for scaling new technologies. The purpose of the test arena is to generate and share knowledge, provide operational learning, and gain hands-on experience by testing in real operational environments.