US-developer Electra has secured approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a critical stage of commercializing its hybrid-electric ultra short-takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft.
On July 10, 2026, Electra announced that the US regulator has closed the G-1 Issue Paper, formally establishing the certification basis for the nine-seater EL9 aircraft.
Electra said the latest milestone came after the company submitted its Part 23 type certification application in November 2025.
According to the start-up, the G1 certification “determines how new technologies will be evaluated and provides the framework for proving that the aircraft meets the safety standards required for commercial passenger and cargo operations”.
Marc Allen, CEO of Electra, said that with this “strong momentum” it can move into the G-2 phase of its work with the FAA.
“In the G-2 phase of the certification process, Electra and the FAA will take the next step and focus on defining the EL9’s means of compliance,” JP Stewart, Electra’s Senior Vice President for Product Development, said. “This stage will guide how Electra demonstrates that the aircraft meets the FAA-approved certification basis through engineering analysis, ground and flight testing, inspections, conformity activities, and certification data.”
The EL9 can take off and land in 150 feet or less and is designed to operate on routes up to 330 nautical miles.
The EL9 is designed to create a transport industry that is less reliant on large airports with a network of ultra-short access points, including novel access points, general aviation airports, and congestion-free airport integration.
“The next era of aviation depends on more than designing a breakthrough aircraft,” Allen said. “It depends on assuring commercial levels of safety for those aircraft. As we move the EL9 through the certification process, we remain laser focused on translating its novel capabilities into safe, scalable operations that will make Direct Aviation a reality.”