Magni650 Electric Propulsion Unit Nears Electric Engine Certification

MagniX’s magni650 electric propulsion unit (EPU) recently completed its extensive NASA test campaign. This moves the device one step closer to achieving the “world’s first” electric engine certification.

The magni650 conducted testing at NASA’s Electric Aircraft Testbed, or NEAT, in Sandusky, Ohio. It was able to provide a maximum continuous 700 kilowatts of power at an altitude of 30,000 feet, making it a strong competitor in electric propulsion.

“The NEAT test campaign has moved us closer to the world’s first certification of an electric powertrain for aviation,” commented Ben Loxton, magniX’s Vice President of Technical Programs. “The work we are doing with NASA in the EPFD project will enable the electrification of regional commercial aviation in pure electric on short routes, and hybridization on longer routes – significant steps toward the decarbonization of aerospace.”

The EPU will now be moving forward to NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project. This will involve replacing one of the four engines on magniX’s De Havilland Dash 7 test aircraft with a magni650 electric unit. The final stage of the NASA EPFD program will substitute a second turbine engine for the magni650, intended to reduce fuel consumption by nearly 40% in normal conditions.

Initial test flights are slated for 2026, with hopes to begin electrifying commercial airlines by the end of the decade.

MagniX is already working with Harbour Air on a project to convert De Havilland Beaver seaplanes to electric power. In April, Harbour Air signed a letter of intent to purchase 50 magni650 engines. This duo already gained a spot in electric aviation history with a Harbour Air Beaver retrofitted with a magniX electric engine in December 2019, which became the world’s first fully electric commercial aircraft to take flight.

“We look forward to being the leader and the first to make electric commercial flight a reality,” MagniX CEO Reed Macdonald expressed.

FMI: www.magnix.aero