British Columbia-based airline Harbor Air says it has achieved another significant milestone with its all-electric seaplane project.
The company's prototype aircraft completed his first point-to-point test flight on Thursday morning, traveling 72 km from Richmond to Sydney, Vancouver Island in 24 minutes. .
READ MORE: Vancouver Seaplane Company Tests World's First All-Electric Commercial Aircraft
Prototype , the world's first all-electric commercial aircraft, made its maiden test flight in 2019 and has since undergone regular short test flights from its Richmond base.
"I am pleased to report that this historic flight with ePlane went as planned." Harbor Air Vice President Flight Operations and Test Pilot Cory Paul said in a media release:
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"Our teams, magnX and Transport Canada, are always closely monitoring aircraft performance and today 's flight further proved the safety and reliability of what we built.”
Powered by a 750 hp electric motor created by Washington state-based magiX.
The plane flown Thursday is intended as a proof-of-concept for the technology.
Read more: Harbor Air to switch to battery-powered aircraft
December 2021, Harbor Air Construction has begun on a second prototype intended for use as a "certification verification" aircraft as it will function through Transport Canada regulatory approval.
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Certification work by Transport Canada and the Federal Aviation Administration on electric engine and battery systems is underway and will take 2 years until,” the company said on its website.
The company says it is very well suited for electric power because it uses small aircraft mainly for short-haul flights, and it hopes to eventually convert the entire aircraft. .
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