Australian Company Arrives to the Scene with Compact, Streamlined Engine Option for Electric Aircraft

Australian developer Kite Magnetics announced the completion of their 120-kilowatt electric propulsion unit (EPU), a small, self-contained alternative to traditional light sport engines.

Their model sports a well-chosen power output, about 160 hp compared to current LSA fare. Unlike the average small engine, however, their system, the KM-120, tips the scales at a fraction of the mass of comparable engines. The KM-120's exact weight hasn't yet been confirmed, likely because development is still ongoing, but the size appears easily portable for a single man. Kite says the foundation of the motor is the company's "Aeroperm" magnetic material, developed by the team that began the startup.

Right now, they're targeting airworthiness under Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority for the LSA category, which will be followed by the requisite switch to FAA and EASA approval. The company has yet to announce their exact flight testing partner for the KM-120, only hinting that they will begin building operational data over the coming year once they do.

The plant is well-suited to nearly any lightweight, fixed-wing aircraft, with mounting points similar to existing engines and compatibility with most commercial propeller designs.

"We are excited to launch not only the world's most powerful air-cooled electric motor for electric aircraft but also the first commercially available electric motor that uses this new type of magnetic material," said CEO Richard Parsons. "With our Aeroperm magnetic materials technology, we can reduce the energy wasted in parts of an electric motor by more than ten times. This means we can use air cooling even at very high power levels. This makes our motors simpler, more reliable and extremely lightweight.”

FMI: www.kitemagnetics.com