magniX Dah 7 Powers Up NASA’s Electric Flight Program

magniX, a company at the forefront of the electric aviation revolution, revealed the De Havilland DHC-7 (Dash 7) aircraft. This aircraft will undergo a retrofit with magniX’s industry-leading electric powertrains, marking a significant step in NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration program (EPFD).

The aircraft, showcased at a ceremony in Seattle, Washington, proudly displayed the logos of magniX, NASA, and Air Tindi, the provider of the Dash 7. This unveiling highlights the latest progress in a program that has achieved several milestones in 2024.

Milestones Achieved

• In February, magniX successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR), establishing the blueprint for retrofitting the Dash 7 with magniX’s electric powertrains.
• In April, a magni650 electric engine successfully concluded the initial phase of testing at NASA’s Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) facility in Sandusky, Ohio. These tests validated the magni650’s exceptional performance at altitudes reaching 27,500 feet.
• In June, baseline flight tests for the Dash 7 were finalized, providing crucial performance data before the aircraft is modified with magniX’s technology.

Accelerating Towards Sustainable Aviation

The next phase of EPFD involves replacing one of the aircraft’s four turbine engines with a magniX electric powertrain, with test flights scheduled for 2026. Subsequently, a second turbine engine will be replaced with another magniX powertrain. This configuration is projected to reduce fuel consumption by up to 40%.

Quotes from Key Stakeholders

• “magniX and NASA are demonstrating that sustainable flight is achievable with technology available today,” stated Ben Loxton, magniX’s VP of EPFD and Electric Storage Systems (ESS). “The EPFD program is accelerating its readiness for entry into service, prioritizing safety and the highest standards of performance.”
• “As EPFD makes outstanding progress, magniX and NASA are proving the feasibility of electric propulsion for commercial flight,” said Reed Macdonald, CEO of magniX. “Integrating our game-changing electric powertrains into a regional airliner such as the Dash 7 represents a major step forward in bringing electric solutions into the business of aviation.”
• “We at NASA are excited about EPFD’s potential to make aviation sustainable and more accessible to more U.S. communities,” said Robert A. Pearce, associate administrator for NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. “Hybrid electric propulsion on a megawatt scale accelerates U.S. progress toward its goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, benefitting all who rely on air transportation every day.”

About magniX

Headquartered in Everett, Washington State, U.S., magniX is at the forefront of developing powertrains and batteries for the electrification of transportation. magniX’s comprehensive electric powertrain offers customers an integrated solution for electrifying aircraft. magniX batteries provide a safe and practical solution for battery electric and hybrid electric aircraft and are also well-suited to power helicopters, eVTOLs, and marine craft.

Parting Thought

The unveiling of the Dash 7 demonstrator aircraft signals a pivotal moment in the electric aviation revolution. magniX’s collaboration with NASA is not only pushing the boundaries of technological innovation but also actively shaping a future where sustainable aviation is a reality. As we witness the integration of electric powertrains into commercial aircraft, we are one step closer to a greener and more efficient aviation industry.

Learn more about magniX’s electric powertrain technology.
Read about NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration program.

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