West Virginia’s demonstrated commitment to the future of aviation, paired with BETA’s investment in the state, has enabled a rapidly expanding charging network, with sites currently online at Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport (MRB) in Martinsburg, Greenbrier Valley Airport (LWB) in Lewisburg, Charleston, and soon-to-be Huntington Tri-State Airport (HTS) in Huntington, West Virginia. These charging sites, which share locations with each of Marshall’s campuses, increase connectivity for students and enable exposure to Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).
“BETA is investing in the entire ecosystem that makes electric aviation possible: the aircraft, the charging network and the people who will fly and maintain them,” said Blain Newton, chief information officer at BETA. “With our first charger now online in West Virginia, we’re connecting the state to a growing network and laying the groundwork for new possibilities in regional transportation. We imagine a future where these aircraft connect small towns to hospitals, to jobs and to each other. It’s exciting to share that progress with Marshall University and its students, who represent the next generation of aviation professionals.”
The event also strengthens the ongoing engagement between Marshall and BETA to explore how emerging aviation technologies complement the university’s existing aviation programs and create new educational and workforce development opportunities. Through its growing aviation programs and Aviation Pillar of Excellence, Marshall is preparing students for careers in a changing aerospace industry, while BETA is developing the aircraft, charging infrastructure and enabling technologies needed to support that industry’s evolution.
“This is a milestone moment for Marshall University Aviation as we look toward the future of aviation,” said Brad D. Smith, president of Marshall University. “Our aviation program is not solely about teaching students to fly; it is about preparing them to lead in one of the world’s most essential industries. The innovation this announcement brings is a testament to what can happen when Marshall brings the right people together and turns bold ideas into action. Kudos to everyone who made today’s event with BETA Technologies possible.”
BETA flew its ALIA CTOL aircraft to Charleston for the event, which drew more than 200 attendees, including U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice, U.S. Rep. Carol Miller, state officials, Marshall University leaders, students and faculty from the Bill Noe Flight School and members of the local community. Attendees experienced an up-close look at BETA’s electric aircraft and charging technology, including a flight demonstration, ribbon cutting and the inaugural charging session at CRW.
“It is great to be here today in Charleston to celebrate the announcement of Marshall University’s partnership with BETA Technologies,” Sen. Capito said. “Marshall University Division of Aviation sets the standard for aviation education, and I have been proud to support them in their mission to foster high-quality aviation and talent right here in West Virginia. This collaboration will have an immense impact on the future of aviation, and I look forward to seeing the many benefits it will bring to our state.”
BETA has built its charging network with a deliberate focus on rural and underserved communities. The company has prioritized sites in regions where electric aviation can do the most to expand regional access, including small and midsize airports that have limited commercial air service today, including Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO) in Charlottesville, VA; Akron-Canton Regional Airport (CAK) in Canton, OH; and Raleigh Executive Jetport at Sanford-Lee County (TTA) in Sanford, NC. Each charge site is equipped with the infrastructure needed to support electric aviation operations at scale. Each site adds a link between communities that are often hours apart by road. BETA’s Charge Cubes are multimodal and interoperable, so the same infrastructure can serve electric aircraft and ground vehicles alike.
The BETA Charge Cube shares an airfield with Marshall University’s Bill Noe Flight School, which has trained pilots at CRW since 2021. The school offers a bachelor’s degree in professional pilot under FAA Part 141 and flies a fleet of Cirrus SR20 aircraft from CRW, Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport in Martinsburg and Greenbrier Valley Airport in Lewisburg. Marshall expects the school to enroll 350 students and produce about 50 commercial pilots a year at full operation. The university’s aviation maintenance technology program is based at Huntington Tri-State Airport, the site of BETA’s second West Virginia charger.
“Investing in this complete technology ecosystem establishes Marshall University as an early adopter and regional leader in advanced air mobility education,” said Bill Noe, chief aviation officer at Marshall University Aviation. “By embedding electric propulsion, thermal management and modern flight controls directly into our flight and maintenance programs, we are ensuring our graduates are ready to lead the aerospace industry into the future while driving economic opportunity across Appalachia.”
Marshall and BETA have engaged in ongoing discussions about the evolution of electric aviation and how emerging technologies could be incorporated into aviation education and training. The showcase provided students, faculty and university leadership with an opportunity to experience BETA’s aircraft and charging technology firsthand and engage directly with the company’s pilots and engineers.
“Marshall University has always been a place where West Virginians turn big ideas into reality, and this partnership with BETA Technologies is another perfect example. We’re taking what starts in the classroom and putting it to work in the skies by bringing revolutionary electric aviation technology, critical medical transport capabilities, and elite training directly to our students. As a proud Marshall graduate, I am all in on this effort. I believe in Marshall, I believe in our students, and I believe there is no limit to what they can accomplish when we give them the opportunity to lead,” Sen. Justice said.
“Marshall University continues to expand its aviation programs and create new opportunities for students across West Virginia,” said Congresswoman Miller. “Through its relationship with BETA Technologies, Marshall will help equip students with the hands-on training and education needed to excel in an ever-evolving aviation industry. This initiative has the potential to strengthen critical cargo and medical transportation, drive innovation and create economic development right here in Almost Heaven.”
Photos from the event are available here.
About BETA Technologies
BETA (NYSE: BETA) is an aerospace and defense company designing, manufacturing and selling high-performance electric aircraft, advanced electric propulsion systems, components and charging systems to top operators worldwide. BETA has built and flown its family of ALIA aircraft, consisting of both conventional fixed-wing electric aircraft (the “ALIA CTOL”) and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (the “ALIA VTOL”), more than 200,000 nautical miles, including multiple trips across the United States. BETA is deploying a network of charging infrastructure to enable the growing industry with more than 130 sites across the United States and internationally. BETA’s intentional approach to developing the enabling technologies necessary to electrify aviation unlocks lucrative aftermarket revenue opportunity over the life of each aircraft. These highly scalable enabling technologies allow BETA to serve a customer base across cargo and logistics, defense, passenger and medical end markets and unlock cost-effective and safe missions. Visit www.beta.team for more information about BETA and its products.
About Marshall University
Marshall University is a public comprehensive research university in Huntington, West Virginia. Founded in 1837, Marshall offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs, including an expanding aviation and aerospace curriculum designed to meet the demands of the modern workforce. Through strategic partnerships, innovative academic programs, and a commitment to economic development, Marshall University serves as a catalyst for growth and opportunity across the Appalachian region. For more information, visit www.marshall.edu.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding a potential future collaboration between BETA and Marshall and the integration of advanced air mobility into West Virginia and at Marshall University.
These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially are more fully detailed in BETA’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including BETA’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that BETA believes to be reasonable as of the date hereof. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. BETA undertakes no obligation and does not expect to update these statements as a result of new information or future events, except as required by law.
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