The future of aviation is not only about moving people—it’s also about saving lives. At the intersection of healthcare and aerospace innovation, new platforms are being developed to transform how donor organs are transported.
Elisen recently joined a multi-day Canadian delegation that visited Unither Bioelectronics in Bromont, Québec, and Beta Technologies in Burlington, Vermont. This was not a conference room briefing, it was a rare opportunity to gain a firsthand glimpse into facilities, aircraft, and prototypes that are actively shaping the future of sustainable flight. Delegates saw up close how new propulsion technologies, infrastructure, and certification pathways are advancing at pace.
Unither Bioelectronics: Electric and Hydrogen-Powered Breakthroughs
United Therapeutics is known for its pioneering work in organ transplantation and bioprinting. To support these life-saving initiatives, its subsidiary Unither Bioelectronics has been developing next-generation platforms for rapid, reliable organ transport.
- Their team has successfully converted a Robinson helicopter to full electric propulsion, demonstrating the viability of zero-emission air transport in this critical medical application.
- Building on this success, they are now integrating hydrogen-electric hybrid systems, which offer extended range and power density needed for longer missions. During the visit, Unither demonstrated the performance of the Robinson helicopter modified for hybrid propulsion
- This innovation is directly aligned with the anticipated future demand for organ transportation, particularly as 3D-printed organs move from research to real-world application.
Beta Technologies: Building the Future of eVTOL Aircraft
Beta Technologies, a close partner of United Therapeutics, is advancing the development of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed for healthcare, cargo, and passenger operations.
During the visit, Beta offered delegates a comprehensive tour of their facilities and shared insights into their structural assembly, electric motor development, and battery systems. Demonstrations included test flight of their aircraft configured for forward flight using electric propulsion—a key step toward full certification of both fixed-wing and vertical lift capabilities.
The transparency and technical depth of Beta’s work highlighted the scale of progress being made in the advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystem.
Strengthening Canada’s Role in Advanced Air Mobility
This visit was organized by the Canadian Advanced Air Mobility (CAAM) consortium, bringing together Canadian aerospace companies, airports, and stakeholders to explore how Canada can prepare for the coming wave of small electric and hybrid aircraft.
For Elisen, the discussions reinforced the critical role of certification, systems and structural engineering, and safety oversight in enabling these technologies to transition from experimental prototypes to operational platforms. As Unither continues its certification pathway—and as Beta advances toward full eVTOL approval—partnerships across industry will be essential to ensuring safety, reliability, and scalability.
Looking Ahead
This delegation underscored a critical point: the transition to sustainable, life-saving aviation is no longer an abstract vision—it is taking shape in real hangars, test flights, and engineering programs today.
For Elisen, the experience reinforced our role in supporting this momentum. By applying our expertise in certification, airframe engineering, and systems integration, we are committed to helping ensure these innovations enter service safely and reliably—advancing both aviation and healthcare for the future.
