Close X
Friday, November 15, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. Seaplane Company's Plan For Electric Fleet Is Set For Take Off

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Mar, 2019 02:21 AM

    VANCOUVER — A seaplane company in British Columbia says it is partnering with an engineering firm with the goal of becoming the world's first all-electric airline.


    Harbour Airlines operates 30,000 flights each year on 12 routes between Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria and other destinations in those areas.


    It says in a news release that it's partnering with MagniX, a Washington-state-based firm that has developed an electric propulsion system, to modify it's commercial fleet.


    The fleet will be powered by the Magni500, a 750 horsepower electric motor.


    The release says, if successful, the partnership will create the world's first completely electric commercial seaplane fleet.


    The first aircraft to be converted will be the DHC-2 de Havilland Beaver, a six passenger plane, and the companies expect to conduct the first tests late this years.


    "In 2018, 75 per cent of worldwide airline flights were 1,000 miles or less in range," Roei Ganzarski, CEO of MagniX, said in the statement.


    "With MagniX’s new propulsion systems coupled with emerging battery capabilities, we see tremendous potential for electric aviation to transform this heavily trafficked 'middle mile' range."


    Greg McDougall, Harbour Air's founder and CEO, says his company is North America's largest seaplane airline and also became its first fully carbon-neutral airline in 2007.


    "Through our commitment to making a positive impact on people’s lives, the communities where we operate and the environment, we are once again pushing the boundaries of aviation by becoming the first aircraft to be powered by electric propulsion," he said in the statement.

     

    Photo: Harbour Air

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Cannabis-Carrying Border-Crossers Could Be Hit With Fines Under Coming System

    Cannabis-Carrying Border-Crossers Could Be Hit With Fines Under Coming System
    The border agency received approximately $40 million over five years to help enforce the new cannabis law.

    Cannabis-Carrying Border-Crossers Could Be Hit With Fines Under Coming System

    Transgender Girl Says Sex-Ed Repeal Made Her Nervous About Returning To School

    Transgender Girl Says Sex-Ed Repeal Made Her Nervous About Returning To School
    The 11-year-old, identified only as AB, testified Tuesday before Ontario's human rights tribunal in a case focusing on how rolling back the curriculum impacts LGBTQ students.

    Transgender Girl Says Sex-Ed Repeal Made Her Nervous About Returning To School

    Netflix Apologizes To Lac-Megantic For Using Rail Disaster Footage In 'Bird Box'

    MONTREAL — Netflix is apologizing to the people of Lac-Megantic after actual footage of the 2013 rail disaster that devastated the town was used in dramas on the streaming service.

    Netflix Apologizes To Lac-Megantic For Using Rail Disaster Footage In 'Bird Box'

    Jason Kenney Accuser Declines To Specify Which Housing Rules He Says Kenney Broke

    A lawyer accusing Alberta United Conservative Leader Jason Kenney of breaking parliamentary residency rules while serving as an MP is declining to explain which regulation he believes Kenney broke or how he broke it.

    Jason Kenney Accuser Declines To Specify Which Housing Rules He Says Kenney Broke

    AG Hopes Federal Election Won't Get In Way Of Ottawa Co-Operating With B.C.

    AG Hopes Federal Election Won't Get In Way Of Ottawa Co-Operating With B.C.
    British Columbia's attorney general says he's hoping a federal election campaign won't get in the way of Ottawa fully co-operating with the province to deal with serious money-laundering issues.

    AG Hopes Federal Election Won't Get In Way Of Ottawa Co-Operating With B.C.

    2018 Surrey Crime Statistics Released: Overall Crime Down, Violent Crime Remains The Same

    2018 Surrey Crime Statistics Released: Overall Crime Down, Violent Crime Remains The Same
    The Surrey RCMP has released the fourth quarter (Q4) crime statistics for 2018, which also includes the statistics for the full year. Overall, crime in Surrey decreased by 4% in 2018.

    2018 Surrey Crime Statistics Released: Overall Crime Down, Violent Crime Remains The Same