An all-electric seaplane took flight in Canada for the first time

Most electric-powered aircraft being tested today look like mutant helicopters or drones on steroids. So it was with some relief that the all-electric plane that took flight in British Columbia on December 10th had the appearance of a very ordinary-looking seaplane. The plane, operated by Harbour Air and MagniX, is a yellow-and-black six-seater de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver with a 750-horsepower (560 kW) Magni500 propulsion system. The short test flight took place on the Fraser River at Harbour Air Seaplanes terminal in Richmond, near Vancouver. Launched at the Paris Air Show earlier this year, Australian company MagniX said its propulsion system aims to provide a “clean and efficient way to power airplanes.” The flight was short, but the... Continue reading…