This website uses cookies
More information
Business Air News Bulletin
Business Air News Bulletin
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.
Related background information from the Handbook...
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Request your printed copy

Innovators put heads together for electric Caravan
Powered by magniX's propulsion system, Sydney Seaplanes and Dante Aeronautical are working towards an STC by converting the Cessna Caravan to be the first all-electric aircraft certified by CASA. Q1 2023 is the target.
Sydney Seaplanes is an experienced operator, having flown thousands of passengers round Sydney Harbour over the past decade.

Australian seaplane operator Sydney Seaplanes is working with magniX and Dante Aeronautical to initiate the world's first electric Cessna Caravan STC programme. Powered by magniX's propulsion system, Sydney Seaplanes and Dante Aeronautical will work towards an STC by converting the Cessna Caravan to be the first all-electric aircraft certified by the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

“After more than a decade of flying thousands of passengers over stunning views around the Sydney Harbour, we're delighted to take our next step into the future of flight,” says Sydney Seaplanes CEO Aaron Shaw. “As the only company that's already powered and flown two all-electric magnified commercial aircraft, magniX is the ideal partner to help us not only electrify our planes but build toward an electric future that benefits our travellers and the environment. This trilateral partnership means Sydney Seaplanes will play an integral role in certifying, adopting and distributing nil emission aviation services and technology.”

The STC is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2023, at which point Sydney Seaplanes will be able to offer the STC as a service to other Caravan operators in the region. The partnership will position Sydney Seaplanes as the prime leader in electric aircraft operation and magnification, with Dante as the technology integrator of reference in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific region.

“This is another terrific milestone for the electric aviation revolution and one that we are thrilled to be a part of as the industry continues to innovate,” says magniX CEO Roei Ganzarski. “Expanding with STC partners globally on more and more aircraft platforms means more sustainable air travel brought to market and to the masses. And for operators, the all-electric aircraft provides the benefits of clean, cost-effective aviation.”

This partnership comes on the heels of momentum in the electric aviation industry within the last year. In December 2019, magniX flew the world's first commercial all-electric aircraft, the eBeaver, a six-passenger DHC-2 de Havilland Beaver with North American seaplane operator Harbour Air. In May, magniX successfully flew the largest all-electric commercial aircraft, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan and in September Universal Hydrogen announced its selection of magniX as the propulsion provider for their Hydrogen-based Dash-8 conversion programme. magniX is also the provider of propulsion for Eviation's Alice, the world's first by design all-electric commuter aircraft.

Other News
 
Auric to source electric powertrains from Surf Air
March 26, 2024
Once certified, the Surf Air powertrains will power up to 12 of Auric Air's Cessna Grand Caravan fleet.
Ampaire conducts hybrid electric ground test with pure SAF
February 26, 2024
Ampaire's aircraft technology already reduces the amount of fuel combusted during flight. That, combined with Dimensional Energy's 100 per cent SAF, quickens the pace up the steep curve of the energy transition.
Z.Boskovic to electrify charter ops with Surf Air powertrains
January 23, 2024
Electrifying its fleet positions ZBAC well within Kenya's consumer landscape, with increasing demand for safari and adventure trips along with a greater demand for greener, more sustainable travel.