MagniX, a company based in Everett, Washington, is preparing to test its hybrid electric propulsion system on a De Havilland Dash 7 airplane as part of a $74.3 million NASA demonstration project. The aircraft was unveiled at Seattle’s Boeing Field, bearing the logos of magniX, NASA, and Air Tindi, the Canadian regional carrier from which the plane was acquired. The project, known as NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration project (EPFD), aims to showcase the economic and environmental benefits of electric propulsion. The timeline for the project includes replacing two of the plane’s standard Pratt & Whitney PT6A turbine engines with magniX’s 650-watt electric motors and installing a 450-kWh battery pack, with flight tests scheduled to begin in 2026.
MagniX CEO Reed Macdonald emphasized the potential impact of electric-powered airplanes, highlighting the significant fuel savings and environmental advantages that a hybrid propulsion system could offer. The company is also collaborating with Harbour Air on converting De Havilland Beaver seaplanes to electric power. Macdonald noted that electric aviation could provide improved access to air routes for communities that currently lack sufficient aviation services. Air Tindi, a company that operates in northern Canada, is expected to benefit from the hybrid Dash 7 airplane, which serves as a key asset for the company’s regional flights.
Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, commended magniX and NASA for advancing the EPFD project, which is projected to create 50 jobs at magniX’s headquarters in Everett and the testing site in Moses Lake. Cantwell lauded the project as a significant milestone in aerospace innovation that has the potential to enhance regional flights, particularly in small and rural communities. The EPFD project aims to scale up electric battery technology to power passenger planes, contributing to the development of cleaner, more cost-effective, and energy-efficient aviation solutions.
Macdonald expressed optimism about the impact of MagniX’s converted Dash 7 airplane on the future of electric aviation, describing it as a crucial component in the company’s technology development and efforts to overcome barriers to entry into service by the end of the decade. The EPFD project represents a key step forward in advancing electric aviation technologies and showcasing the potential for electric propulsion systems in commercial aircraft. With the support of NASA, magniX is poised to demonstrate the viability of electric-powered regional flights, paving the way for cleaner and more sustainable air travel options in the coming years. The hybrid Dash 7 airplane is expected to play a pivotal role in proving the effectiveness of electric propulsion systems and accelerating the adoption of electric aviation technologies.
