The American company Electra is building aircraft to help unlock economic regional travel. Their hybrid-electric, Ultra Short aircraft is designed to make regional air mobility more accessible.
Axalp Technologies assisted Electra with the design and fabrication of their EL2 proof-of-concept prototype aircraft.
(all photos: Electra.aero)
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The primary task for Axalp Technologies in supporting Electra's team on the EL2 aircraft was the design, analysis, and fabrication of the fuselage structure, including the horizontal and vertical tails. This assembly is engineered completely in carbon fiber materials for highest performance and to meet Electra's exact specifications and requirements. Axalp engineers worked alongside the Electra team to conduct the entire fuselage structural design, from top-level design down to individual parts design, material selection, and hardware specification.
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Collaborating with Electra engineers, Axalp oversaw the fabrication of the EL2 fuselage and tail assembly. We worked with our network of trusted suppliers to oversee the fabrication of all composite and metal parts, conduct inspections, and then managed the assembly of the entire unit before shipment to the Electra team for systems integration.
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In addition to our work on airframe design and fabrication, Axalp Technologies has also provided the propellers used by Electra for the EL2 aircraft. Working from a blade shape designed by the Electra aerodynamics team, Axalp developed the structural design to support this and the fabrication method to build the blades quickly and efficiently.
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Working one-on-one with Electra's EL2 integration team, Axalp Technologies participated in support activities to integrate subsystems into the EL2 aircraft, as well as the design of some aircraft subsystems. Axalp Technologies contributed to design work for the EL2:
steering/braking system
instrument panel and throttle quadrant
protective case for hybrid batteries
electrical distribution unit housing
turbine exhaust
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Beyond design and fabrication work, Axalp Technologies continues to work closely with the Electra team and their flight test operations for the EL2 aircraft. This includes support for modifications and improvements to the EL2 aircraft and aircraft systems. See some great videos of the EL2 in action at Electra's website.
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