Electra.aero Leads Virginia Smart Airspace Program for AAM IFR Network

This article is based on an official press release from Electra aero.

Electra aero Selected as Technical Lead for Virginia Smart Airspace Program

On February 18, 2026, Electra aero announced its selection as a technical lead for the Virginia Smart Airspace Program. In a strategic move to integrate Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) into the national airspace, Electra will partner with NAVOS Air and Virginia Tech’s Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) to design and test a new low-cost Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) network.

According to the company’s statement, this initiative aims to create a national blueprint for AAM operations, enabling aircraft to fly safely in diverse weather conditions without relying on the heavy infrastructure required by traditional commercial aviation. The program is supported by the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) and the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), positioning the state as a central hub for next-generation aviation technology.

Building the “Infrastructure of the Sky”

The core objective of the partnership is to solve a critical bottleneck in the AAM industry: the lack of appropriate flight procedures for novel aircraft. Current IFR procedures are designed for conventional, high-speed aircraft, necessitating long approaches and large volumes of protected airspace. These requirements often preclude AAM aircraft from operating efficiently in bad weather or accessing smaller, underutilized landing zones.

To address this, the Virginia Smart Airspace Program will develop “Ultra Short” instrument approaches. These new procedures are tailored to the unique performance capabilities of aircraft like Electra’s hybrid-electric eSTOL (electric Short Takeoff and Landing) vehicle. By validating these routes, the program intends to prove that AAM aircraft can operate reliably in clouds and fog without disrupting traffic at major airports.

The Four-Node Network

The program will utilize a “Four Node” network across Virginia to test these concepts in real-world environments. According to the project details released by Electra, the network includes:

• Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI): An off-airport “Ultra Short” access point located in Blacksburg.
• Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport (KROA): An on-airport node designed to demonstrate separation between AAM traffic and conventional runway operations.
• Allen C. Perkinson Airport (KBKT): Located in Blackstone, this site hosts the first FAA-approved public-use vertiport, established in collaboration with NAVOS Air.
• Shannon Airport: A rural airport in Fredericksburg serving as a commuter connection point.

Tombo Jones, Director of the MAAP, emphasized the immediacy of the project in the press announcement:

“The Virginia AAM Smart Airspace Program is establishing the regulatory, procedural, and operational foundation for real-world AAM deployment, not in the future, but now.”

Technical Spotlight: The EL9 and Blown Lift

Electra’s role as the aircraft technical lead involves deploying its EL9 Ultra Short aircraft to validate the new flight paths. The EL9 is a nine-passenger hybrid-electric aircraft that utilizes blown lift technology, a system where distributed electric propulsion blows air over the wings to generate substantial lift at low speeds.

This technology allows the EL9 to take off and land in under 150 feet (approximately 45 meters). Unlike eVTOL aircraft, which often require dedicated charging infrastructure and reinforced pads, the EL9 utilizes a hybrid system that recharges batteries in-flight. This capability allows it to operate from grass, asphalt, or gravel, making it highly compatible with the “Ultra Short” access points proposed by the Virginia program.

Parker Vascik, Director of Product Strategy at Electra, noted the significance of this capability:

“This partnership marks a critical step forward on our path to unlocking a new era of aviation, one that is simpler, faster, and without the hassle of today’s commercial services.”

Economic Impact and Future Scalability

The initiative is part of a broader economic strategy for the Commonwealth of Virginia. A 2024 analysis by the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Logistics Systems projects that the successful integration of AAM could generate significant economic returns for the state. The report estimates that by 2045, the sector could contribute $16 billion in new economic activity and create over 17,000 high-value jobs.

The procedures developed during this program are intended to be scalable. Once the FAA certifies these “Ultra Short” access points and IFR templates in Virginia, the partners aim to deploy them nationwide. This would effectively create a standardized “infrastructure of the sky” that other states can adopt, accelerating the commercial viability of AAM across the United States.

AirPro News Analysis

We view this partnerships as a pivotal shift in the AAM sector’s maturity. Until now, much of the industry conversation has focused on vehicle certification and battery density. However, the practical utility of AAM aircraft is severely limited if they are restricted to Visual Flight Rules (VFR). VFR operations require clear weather, which makes scheduled commercial service unreliable in many parts of the world.

By focusing on low-cost IFR procedures, Electra and NAVOS Air are addressing the operational reliability required for scheduled commuter flights. If successful, this program will decouple AAM operations from the heavy infrastructure costs associated with major airports, allowing operators to utilize the thousands of underused general aviation airfields and even non-airport locations like parking lots. This infrastructure-light approach could be the key to making regional air mobility economically competitive with ground transport.

Sources: Electra aero