Radia, a Colorado-based energy startup, is making waves in the renewable energy sector with its groundbreaking project, the WindRunner aircraft. With the global energy crisis intensifying, onshore wind farms have emerged as a potential growth option, but the transportation of larger wind turbine components poses a significant challenge. Radia's solution? Developing the largest aircraft in aviation history to deliver gigantic 300-foot-long blades directly to wind farms.

The WindRunner, with its mission to help the world meet its decarbonization targets, will operate using sustainable aviation fuel and require only a simple packed-dirt or gravel runway to land on. Radia states that the aircraft can land on airstrips as short as 6,000 feet (1,800 meters), surpassing the capabilities of any other large commercial aircraft.

To carry the largest payloads ever moved by air, the WindRunner will feature a cargo bay volume of 272,000 cubic feet, equivalent to three Olympic swimming pools. This volume exceeds that of a Boeing 747-400 by 12 times, and its 356-foot length makes it 127 feet longer. The wingspan of the WindRunner will stretch a remarkable 261 feet, which is comparable to four bowling lanes laid end to end.

Radia has focused on incorporating tried-and-true aviation materials, components, and fabrication techniques with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval. This approach aims to ensure that the WindRunner meets aerospace industry standards and is reliable and safe. While commercial operations are reportedly planned as early as 2027, the company has not confirmed a specific timeline on its website.

Radia believes that the development of the WindRunner will enable its partners, including five of the world's top six turbine manufacturers, to deploy GigaWind XXL turbines. These turbines could potentially be two to three times more powerful and profitable compared to those currently deployed, according to Radia. The company is buoyed by Bloomberg NEF's projection that up to $10 trillion will be spent on onshore wind projects through 2050.

Leading the charge at Radia is Mark Lundstrum, the founder and CEO, who brings a wealth of cross-industry experience and an aerospace engineering background from MIT. The company's advisory team boasts former executives from Boeing, MIT, Rolls-Royce, and the FAA. Notable figures such as former US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz and former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also lend their expertise to Radia.

With its ambitious claims and impressive lineup of experts, Radia's WindRunner project has attracted attention. The emphasis on utilizing existing technology and prioritizing safety is seen as a smart approach. As the project unfolds, the WindRunner's distinctive shape may one day become as iconic as Airbus' Beluga XL transporter planes. The skies are eagerly watched for the potential takeoff of the WindRunner before the decade's end.