Developing Hybrid Powerplant With Jet-Fueled Piston Engine For Polaris Aircraft

Tidal Flight, a developer of electric amphibious aircraft for regional air travel, and DeltaHawk Engines, a manufacturer of DHK jet-fueled piston engines, announced a collaboration to certify a hybrid powerplant using DeltaHawk’s engine for the Polaris hybrid-electric seaplane.

The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU, and they have begun sharing engineering data and technical resources as well as details for a potential initial order of engines.

Tidal said the hybrid-electric powertrain enables its Polaris aircraft to meet requirements of both the airlines and DoD, with lower operating costs and logistics footprint. The DHK engine also enables the Polaris to deliver improved fuel efficiency, lower cost of acquisition, and lower maintenance costs compared to a turbogenerator powerplant.

Tidal has performed the research that validates the potential market of the hybrid-electric seaplane and has secured 11 Letters of Intent (LOI) from seaplane and commuter airlines globally. Those orders represent more than 140 aircraft valued at over $900 million, including a recent order from Tropic Ocean Airways, the world’s largest fleet operator of passenger amphibious aircraft, for 20 Polaris aircraft worth over $100 million.

Jude Augustine, Co-Founder & CEO of Tidal Flight said, “Seaplanes present the opportunity to provide direct, low-infrastructure access to city centers, remote communities, and coastal destinations. DeltaHawk’s engine technology is one of the critical enablers for Polaris to deliver the step-change reduction in operating costs, fuel burn, and maintenance hours required to make that unique mobility affordable and sustainable.”

Christopher Ruud, Chief Executive Officer of DeltaHawk, added, “We could not be more excited about our formal collaboration with Tidal Flight – and we see installation of the DHK engine in a hybrid configuration as an outstanding beginning for a global partnership that we anticipate will grow to include our entire family of engines in a wide range of horsepower. Just as important, we see this new agreement not just in terms of engines, but also as a wonderful step by Tidal Flight towards ensuring environmental sustainability for general aviation worldwide.”

FMI:  www.deltahawk.com/ , www.tidalflight.com/