Largest all-electric aircraft to make maiden flight
BY Jack Guy, CNN • Published 28th May 2020
(CNN) — As concerns over the environmental cost of flying continue to mount, green propulsion systems can offer an ethical alternative.
Electric motor technology is due to reach a new milestone Thursday with the first flight planned of the world’s largest all-electric aircraft.
The nine-passenger eCaravan plane is the result of a collaboration between engine company magniX and aerospace firm AeroTEC, according to a press release from magniX.
The aircraft, an adapted Cessna Caravan 208B, will make its first flight on May 28 at an airstrip in Washington State at 8 a.m. local time (11 a.m. ET).
The original Cessna Caravan is one of the most widely used middle-mile planes in the world, with more than 2,600 aircraft working in 100 countries, the press release states.
The all-electric version will use a 750-horsepower (560kW) magni500 propulsion system.
“As the world’s largest all-electric aircraft, this first flight is a significant milestone in disrupting the transportation industry and accelerating the electric aviation revolution,” reads the press release.
It goes on, “magniX’s ultimate goal is to . . .