Bristow has concluded an electric aviation test project in Norway with the Beta Technologies Alia eVTOL aircraft. The six-month demonstration, carried out under Norway’s international test arena, ended on January 28 with a final flight into Stavanger by Bristow pilot Jeremy Degagne.

The aircraft flew 126 missions on a cargo route between Stavanger and Bergen, covering 8,748 nautical miles. Bristow worked closely with Beta Technologies, Avinor and the Norwegian civil aviation authority Luftfartstilsynet to gather real-world data on winter operations, infrastructure, airspace integration and safety procedures.

“This project represents an important step toward the next generation of flight,” says Dave Stepanek, executive vice president and chief transformation officer at Bristow Group. “We’re proud to contribute real-world operational and safety experience that supports the careful, responsible introduction of electric and sustainable aircraft.”

The project also informed charging infrastructure needs, cold-weather resilience and emergency response requirements. CAA Norway and ATC partners reported that the aircraft could be integrated into controlled airspace with minimal workload.

“We’ve learned a great deal, and we look forward to sharing that insight,” Stepanek adds.