FAA Clears Beta's Alia 250 eVTOL For Passenger Market Survey Flights | Aviation International News

Regulations and Government

FAA Clears Beta’s Alia eVTOL for Passenger Demo Flights

The fixed-wing Alia CX300 electric aircraft already holds a special airworthiness certificate

Beta Technologies Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft — Beta Technologies can now carry passengers in demonstration flights with its Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft.

By Charles Alcock • Managing Editor

October 21, 2026

The FAA has issued a special airworthiness certificate to Beta Technologies allowing the company to operate its Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft for passenger-carrying “market survey” flights. The Vermont-based company announced what it described as a “first-of-its-kind” approval on Wednesday, saying it is now cleared to conduct flight operations with prospective customers.

Beta conducted the first flight under the newly-issued certificate on Tuesday. The A250 took offer vertically from Plattsburgh International Airport (KPBG) in New York before transitioning to wing-borne flight and then landing vertically at Patrick Leahy International Airport (KBVT) in Vermont in a 34 nm sector that lasted 20 minutes.

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