Southern Airways Expected to Lead Introduction of Electric Cessna 208B

Surf Air Mobility (SAM) has partnered with magniX (sic) and AeroTEC to develop and certify hybrid and fully-electric powertrains for new and existing Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft.

SAM plans to develop supplemental type certificates for its proprietary electrification solutions, powered by magniX’s market-leading electric propulsion units (“EPUs”). AeroTEC will provide engineering, testing, program management, and certification expertise to support design, development, and FAA Certification.

magniX and AeroTEC have successfully flown a fully-electric Cessna Grand Caravan 208B, demonstrating the technology and furthering the feasibility of electrified air travel.

SAM anticipates its initial hybrid electric Cessna Grand Caravans, once developed, will have the same flight range as their turbine combustion engine counterpart, allowing the hybrid electric Cessna Grand Caravan to operate on regional routes across the US. To that end, SAM has announced its intention to merge with Southern Airways Corporation, one of the largest passenger operators of Cessna Caravans in the U.S. Southern Airways, in turn, is expected to lead the introduction of SAM’s electrified powertrains to the market.

Surf Air Mobility (SAM) is a Los Angeles-based electric aviation and air travel company that seeks to bring electrified aircraft to market at scale in order to substantially reduce the cost and environmental impact of flying.

magniX is an electric motor manufacturer headquartered in Everett WA. The company was founded in 2009 to research various technologies for electric motors. In 2017, it developed a prototype motor that shifted the company’s focus to electric aviation.

AeroTEC develops, tests and certifies new aircraft products for companies seeking to quickly and efficiently bring their products to the aerospace market.

FMI: https://surfair.com, www.magnix.aero, www.aerotec.com