This week, magniX, the pioneering electric aviation company, unveiled a De Havilland DHC-7 (Dash 7) aircraft slated for electric powertrain retrofitting.
This reveal marks an important stage in NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) program. The program aims to further the progress towards greener air travel.
The formal ceremony in Seattle, Washington, presented the testbed aircraft. The Dash 7 was adorned with logos from magniX, NASA, and Air Tindi, the Dash 7 provider.
Progress Timeline for 2024
The EPFD program has seen several crucial goals throughout 2024, demonstrating rapid advancement in electric aviation technology:
February 2024: magniX successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR). This set a robust design framework for retrofitting the Dash 7 with their advanced electric powertrains.
April 2024: NASA’s Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) facility in Sandusky, Ohio tested a magni650 electric engine. The tests confirmed the engine’s exceptional performance capabilities at altitudes reaching 27,500 feet, a critical factor for commercial aviation applications.
June 2024: Comprehensive baseline flight tests for the Dash 7 concluded, generating vital performance data. This information will serve as a benchmark for comparing the aircraft’s performance before and after the electric powertrain modification.
Next Steps
The next phase of the EPFD program involves a bold step. It will involve replacing one of the Dash 7’s four turbine engines with a magniX electric powertrain. This hybrid configuration will undergo extensive testing, with test flights scheduled for 2026.
Following this, the program will progress to an even more ambitious stage. The next stage then sees the replacement of the second turbine engine with another magniX electric powerplant. This dual electric engine setup is projected to slash fuel consumption by up to 40%. This represents a significant leap towards sustainable aviation.
Ben Loxton, magniX’s Vice President of EPFD and Electric Storage Systems (ESS), pointed out the immediate viability of this technology. “magniX and NASA are demonstrating that sustainable flight can be realized with technology available today.”
“The EPFD program is accelerating its readiness for entry into service, prioritizing safety and the highest standards of performance.”
Reed Macdonald, CEO of magniX, highlighted the broader implications of this project. “As EPFD makes outstanding progress, magniX and NASA are proving the feasibility of electric propulsion for commercial flight.”
“Integrating our game-changing electric powertrains into a regional airliner such as the Dash 7 represents a major step forward. It will bring electric solutions into the business of aviation.”
NASA’s Perspective
Robert A. Pearce, associate administrator for NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, shared the agency’s enthusiasm for the project. “We at NASA are excited about EPFD’s potential to make aviation sustainable and more accessible to more U.S. communities.”
“Hybrid electric propulsion on a megawatt scale accelerates U.S. progress toward its goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This will benefit all who rely on air transportation every day.”
About magniX
Headquartered in Everett, Washington State, U.S., magniX is at the forefront of transportation electrification. The company specializes in developing advanced powertrains and batteries designed to revolutionize various modes of transport.
magniX’ comprehensive electric powertrain technology offers customers an integrated system for aircraft electrification, paving the way for cleaner, more efficient air travel.
Beyond aviation, magniX batteries provide safe and practical power solutions for a range of applications.
Their leading technology is ideally suited for driving helicopters, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and even marine craft. This demonstrates the broad potential of electric propulsion across multiple transportation sectors.
As the aviation industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, initiatives like the EPFD program and companies like magniX are leading the charge (no pun intended!) towards a more sustainable future.
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