magniX
magniX, an Everett, Washington manufacturer of electric propulsion solutions for aviation, has powered Eviation Aircraft's first flight of its zero-emission Alice technical demonstrator aircraft. The aircraft is powered by two magniX magni650 electric propulsion units (EPUs).
Alice lifted off from Grant County International Airport (MWH), Moses Lake, Washington, east of Seattle, in a maiden flight lasting 8 minutes. The Alice is a clean-sheet design, all-electric passenger plane, built around the electric propulsion system.
magniX has proven its EPUs with flights of an electrified (retrofitted) De Havilland Beaver seaplane (2019) a Cessna Grand Caravan (2020), and a Robinson 44 helicopter (2022).
The successful deployment of electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) enables the Eviation Alice to produce zero carbon emissions, significantly reduces noise, and substantially reduces maintenance and operating costs.
"The first flight of Alice represents the new dawn of electric flight and underpins magniX's industry leadership in electric propulsion. We are proud of our partnership with Eviation, and that together we can take this step toward revolutionizing the way the world travels," said Nuno Taborda, magniX CEO.
magniX is on the path to FAA Part 33 certification, working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which has granted magniX the first, and currently only, Special Conditions for establishing full certification of electric propulsion for aircraft.
In 2021, magniX was awarded funding from NASA to demonstrate the technology for its Electric Powertrain Flight Demonstration program – a four-year venture accelerating the commercialization of electric aviation.
Electric flight offers a means to connect regional communities in ways previously not possible and promises to redefine the transportation of people and goods for future generations.