Virginia-based startup Electra has unveiled its design for the EL9 Ultra Short, a nine-seat hybrid-electric aircraft capable of ultra-short takeoff and landing (USTOL) on just 150 feet of runway. The development comes alongside Electra's contract with NASA for the Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability (AACES) 2050 initiative, which aims to explore sustainable aviation technologies. Chief executive Marc Allen emphasized the potential of scaling their technology for larger commercial applications. The company's EL-2 Goldfinch demonstrator has already shown promising flight capabilities, while Electra has secured over 2,000 orders for the EL9 from various airline customers. Meanwhile, French startup VoltAero has inaugurated a facility for its Cassio family of electric-hybrid aircraft, which aims for significant emissions reductions and versatility in aviation use. Both companies are part of a broader push towards sustainable air mobility and decarbonization in the aviation sector.