Demonstration explores how electric aircraft could support emergency medical services across rural Texas
BRENHAM, Texas, Sept. 24, 2026 – Metro Aviation, Inc., and BETA Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BETA) (BETA) flew BETA's all-electric ALIA conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft with Washington County Emergency Medical Services in Brenham this month. The demonstration tested how the aircraft could move disaster-response equipment for an EMS system that answers more than 7,000 calls a year across about 700 square miles. It was BETA's first flight in Texas under the U.S. Department of Transportation's (U.S. DOT) and Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) and part of Project Nexus, led by the Texas Department of Transportation.
Washington County Commissioner Kirk Hanath joined Washington County EMS leaders to watch the ALIA CTOL operate and discuss where electric aircraft could add capability within the county's emergency medical system.
“Washington County EMS is incredibly grateful to be partnered with Metro, and have the ability to contribute to this project,” said Washington County EMS Director Taylor Leonard.
Washington County EMS has been a Metro Aviation customer since June 2022. Metro operates an EC145 for Washington County EMS as part of a comprehensive emergency medical services system. The third-service agency operates separately from local police and fire departments and is dedicated exclusively to the pre-hospital care of the sick and injured. It responds to calls across the county, including the Brazos River and Lake Somerville, and provides emergency and non-emergency transfers, critical care services and rescue paramedic services throughout the community.
"In Brenham, we saw what we've only been able to talk about finally come to life," said Todd Stanberry, vice president at Metro Aviation. "We partnered with BETA over three years ago, knowing without hesitation that Kyle Clark and his team created the solution the air medical industry has needed for a long time: a more affordable aircraft. We have been so fortunate to have Washington County EMS and the rest of the Metro family involved every step of the way since then, and now, through the eIPP, they got to see the art of the possible become reality."
The demonstration showed how the ALIA CTOL could move disaster-response equipment alongside the county's existing helicopter and ground-based emergency response. Through Project Nexus, BETA and Metro are testing how electric aircraft fit into established aviation operations along a route connecting Galveston, where a BETA Charge Cube charging station is online, with Sugar Land and Brenham.
“Project Nexus is a whole-of-ecosystem effort to build the operating model required to bring electric aviation into routine commercial service across the state of Texas,” said Simon Newitt, head of sales and support at BETA Technologies. “Through the program, BETA is working alongside established aviation operators, public agencies and mission partners to evaluate how electric aircraft and charging infrastructure can integrate into their existing operations. Our work with Metro Aviation and Washington County EMS applies that model to an essential public service and helps build a repeatable path to expand access to critical services for Texans.”
Photos and video from the Washington County EMS flight demonstration are available here.
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About Metro Aviation:
Metro Aviation, Inc., based in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States is a worldwide provider of completion services for all missions and types of helicopters and specializes in air-medical completions with several Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) developed by the company for a wide variety of helicopters. Metro is an FAA approved repair station, approved Airbus (Eurocopter) Service Center and FAR Part 135 air medical operator at several locations across the United States. The company is privately held and is the largest traditional air medical operator in the country. For additional information regarding Metro Aviation, Inc. and any of its products or services, please contact Kristen King Holmes at 318.698.5200 or kking@metroaviation.com.
About BETA Technologies, Inc.:
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.
Media Contacts:
BETA Technologies
Media: Nat Bol, external communications
press@beta.team
Investor Relations: Devon Rothman, head of investor relations and FP&A
investors@beta.team
Metro Aviation
Media: Kristen King Holmes
318-698-5200
kking@metroaviation.com
