Textron eAviation is to conduct flight testing for its Nexus eVTOL full-scale technology demonstrator aircraft at Salina Regional airport in Kansas in collaboration with the Salina Airport Authority. This programme will follow the successful conclusion of initial restrained flight tests that are planned for 2025 at the National Institute of Aviation Research facility in Wichita. The flight test programme at Salina Regional airport will be instrumental in validating the aircraft’s full performance envelope.

The Nexus is a multi-mission aircraft designed to address the global demand for sustainable aviation solutions. This zero-emission aircraft, configured for one pilot and four passengers, is powered by a distributed electric propulsion system. It features four tilting propellers and two aft stationary vertical rotors, enabling a wide range of applications such as passenger transport, public aircraft operations and cargo services.

Salina Regional airport has established itself as a key site for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) testing, having hosted Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) operations under the FAA’s Integration Pilot Program and Beyond programmes. The airport’s leadership in UAS innovation is further bolstered by the presence of the Kansas State University Applied Aviation Research Center, which conducts cutting-edge UAS research and operations. Given its extensive history, proven success in UAS operations and broad access to airspace, Salina Regional airport is an ideal location for conducting these pivotal tests and advancing the future of aviation.

“Kansas boasts a rich aviation history, and we're proud to work alongside the Salina Airport Authority to test these emerging technologies so close to home,” says Kriya Shortt, president and CEO of Textron eAviation. “The support and facilities provided are vital as we advance towards bringing the Nexus eVTOL to market.”

The remotely piloted flight test programme will evaluate the Nexus eVTOL's performance under various conditions, simulating a wide range of operational scenarios.

“We are thrilled to partner with Textron eAviation on this exciting project,” says Pieter Miller, executive director of the Salina Airport Authority. “Salina Regional airport has a longstanding tradition of supporting aviation innovation, and we look forward to contributing to the success of the Nexus eVTOL programme.”