Bristow’s Chief Transformation Officer David Stepanek returns to Hangar X to share real-world lessons from one of the most credible electric aviation test programs today: commercial-style operations in Norway using BETA Technologies’ all-electric ALIA (CX). Rather than focusing on limitations, David explains Bristow’s pragmatic “crawl–walk–run” approach—starting with conventional electric flight, validating operations, maintenance, charging, and safety processes, then scaling toward hybrid-electric and uncrewed offshore cargo missions.
From Stavanger–Bergen flights across fjords to battery-cycle data, tire wear realities, and an unexpected EMI/radio-communication issue that prompted a full safety review, this episode offers a grounded look at what it takes to make advanced air mobility commercially viable—without outrunning aviation safety systems.

Episode highlights
• Bristow’s “focus on what electric aircraft can do” approach to building early profitable markets
• Why Norway is an ideal launchpad (geography, infrastructure, public-sector alignment)
• Learnings from ~86 flights and ~125 charge cycles on BETA’s ALIA
• Charging time, range planning, and real operating economics (energy cost per leg)
• The real-world EMI/radio issue—and how it was handled through rigorous safety processes
• Why cargo-first and offshore logistics are the near-term commercial wedge
• The case for hybrid-electric as a bridge to longer range, higher payload, and reduced infrastructure dependency

Key points with timestamps
[00:00:00] “Focus on what they can do”: mindset behind viable electric flight business models
[00:02:10] Bristow’s mission: offshore energy transport + search and rescue
[00:03:14] Platforms evaluated: BETA, Elroy Air, Electra, Vertical Aerospace, Eve
[00:05:57] Evaluation criteria: performance, turbulence, batteries, charging, total cost
[00:08:55] Tech readiness vs. certification as the gating factor
[00:10:03] Why the Nordics: geography + dense airport network
[00:11:18] Electric ops reality: identical takeoff and landing weight
[00:12:44] Flight phases: local ops → VFR Stavanger–Bergen → IFR expansion
[00:13:44] Range and reserves: ~200 nm with destination charging
[00:14:12] Key learning: EMI interrupting long-range radio comms
[00:15:47] Maintenance findings: tire wear, 100-hour inspection, battery module swap
[00:17:14] Milestone: training commercial electric pilots outside the OEM
[00:18:43] Charging time: ~30 minutes after a 90-mile leg
[00:19:04] Battery outlook: ~125 cycles completed; target ~1500
[00:20:16] Government-sponsored report expected January 2026
[00:20:23] Flying ALIA: quiet, smooth, instant torque
[00:23:26] Avinor’s role: airport ops and integrated charging infrastructure
[00:24:38] Commercial path: cargo-first for regional and offshore logistics
[00:26:58] Customer priorities: safety → cost → efficiency → sustainability
[00:27:00] Economics datapoint: ~$10–$12 energy cost per leg
[00:31:57] Red flags: certification timelines, capital, public acceptance
[00:35:03] EMI “aha”: implications for multi-motor architectures
[00:36:08] Hybrid-electric momentum from OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers
[00:41:26] Vertical Aerospace conforming design milestone referenced
[00:42:28] Why this matters: real commercial-style ops with regulators engaged
[00:43:28] Next step: future webinar with Bristow, BETA, and Norway stakeholders

Guest bio
David Stepanek is Chief Transformation Officer at Bristow Group, leading efforts across sustainable aviation, AAM, electric and hybrid-electric systems, and uncrewed cargo operations. His focus is translating emerging aircraft into safe, scalable commercial operations.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-stepanek-fraes-30a09216b/

About Bristow Group
Bristow Group is a global provider of vertical flight solutions, supporting offshore energy and government services worldwide, with a strong focus on safety, reliability, and innovation.

Notable quotes
[00:00:00] “Let’s just pay attention to what they can do…”
[00:11:47] “In electric airplane, takeoff and landing weight are always identical.”
[00:14:12] “Long range radio transmissions have been interrupted by the EMI…”
[00:18:43] “It’s about 30 minutes.”
[00:21:31] “Powerful, smooth, quiet.”
[00:31:57] “Not certified… do you have the capital to get to certification?”
[00:33:35] “I worry that we’re getting ahead of ourselves…”