Beta Technologies

Beta Technologies (stylized as BETA Technologies), is a Burlington, Vermont-based aerospace and electric aircraft manufacturer. The company develops fully electric vertical take off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and a related charging network.
The company was founded by Kyle Clark in 2017.
History.
BETA Technologies was incorporated in 2017 in Burlington, Vermont by Kyle Clark, an experienced pilot, engineer and entrepreneur. In order to become the company's first test pilot, he learned to fly helicopters, and earned FAA qualifications for a powered lift rating.
One of the company's early investors was United Therapeutics, which under founder and CEO Martine Rothblatt, was looking for efficient transportation methods for man-made organs intended for human transplant. United Therapeutics awarded BETA a $48 million contract.
On May 23, 2018, the company made the first tethered flight of its original 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) Ava XC eight motor, eight propeller battery-operated proof of concept aircraft.
The company came out of stealth in January 2019. That year, the Ava XC became the world’s heaviest eVTOL aircraft to fly.
In February 2020, the company began participating in the United States Air Force Agility Prime program that seeks to advance electric air mobility. In May, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center announced that the company, along with Joby Aviation, would progress to the third phase of the program. In June, the company unveiled its second aircraft prototype, ALIA-250.
In March 2021, the ALIA-250 made a test flight from Plattsburgh, New York, across Lake Champlain to Burlington, Vermont. In April, United Parcel Service (UPS) entered into a contract for ten ALIA-250 aircraft to be supplied in 2024, which included the option for UPS to acquire up to 150 more aircraft. UPS announced it planned to have them travel directly to and from UPS facilities, rather than use airports. In April, Blade Urban Air Mobility ordered 20 ALIA aircraft, becoming BETA's first passenger service company.
Technology.
The company uses electric motors as they are reportedly quieter and have a smaller carbon footprint with zero operational emissions compared to an equivalent gasoline engine, and require less maintenance. The company claims they are also more efficient than combustion engines and have constant torque across all speeds, which enables control without helicopter-like complexity. 
Products.
BETA Technologies develops eVTOL aircraft and a network of charging stations to support them. 
Operations.
The company is headquartered at Burlington International Airport in South Burlington, Vermont, and they store and test their EVA (Electrical Vertical Aircraft) aircraft, ALIA, at Plattsburgh International Airport in Plattsburgh, New York. As of January 2021, BETA Technologies had 177 full-time employees.