Tue, Jun 11, 2024
Northern Carrier Jumps on the Battery Bandwagon
Harbour Air, an all-seaplane operator in Vancouver, announced that they would be offering a conversion program using some of their single-engine turboprops and magniX's Magni650 electric systems.
They signed a letter of intent with Bel-Air Aviation, a sightseeing operator on the East Coast of Canada. Under the deal, they plan to buy 3 'eBeaver' conversions, in a deal that will replace their DHC-2's propulsion systems with the magniX equivalent. The completed eBeavers will grant about 60 to 75 minutes of absolute flight time and payload for up to 6 passengers, perfectly suited for operators touring the bays of Canada. The eBeaver program will be done by Harbour Air, dipping their toes in the conversion business and paving the way for electric flight across the country's scenic tour business.
The deal will see both Bel-Air and Harbour Air work on obtaining certification for the eBeavers on wheeled skis, using Bel-Air's aircraft and landing gear for necessary flight testing. Later on, the final purchase agreement will detail the purchase price and any adjustments for equipment and services needed during the program. It's interesting that Bel-Air has its own fleet of seaplanes and in-house maintenance know-how, performing modifications and repair to outside clientele. It may be interesting to those running the numbers on their own that both parties are focusing on certifying the ski'd eBeavers first, given the breadth of seaplane operations both operators undergo.
“Acquiring these electric aircraft will not only enhance our operational capabilities but also align with our commitment to sustainability. We look forward to working closely with Harbour Air to finalize this agreement and introduce the eBeaver to our operations.”
“We are thrilled to see magniX’s flight-proven technology at the heart of a significant step such as this by Harbour Air and Bel-Air Aviation towards zero emissions flight,” added Riona Armesmith, Chief Technology Officer at magniX. “Our partnership with Harbour Air is leading an electric revolution in seaplane travel and we look forward to seeing more of our electric engines powering eBeavers, as well as other platforms.”
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