The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted BETA Technologies a Special Airworthiness Certificate for market surveys, enabling the company to fly customers and partners on its ALIA VTOL A250 aircraft. BETA Technologies announced the authorization on October 20, 2026, after completing its first flight under the new regulatory status earlier that day.
The flight went from Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG), New York, to Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV), Vermont, a distance of 34 nautical miles. The journey took 20 minutes. During the flight, the A250 transitioned from vertical to wing-borne flight and then returned to vertical flight for landing.
