Aircraft
MD Aircraft Seeks Series A Funding for Electric Regional Airliner
10-passenger model could be followed by larger designs with alternative powertrains
MD Aircraft MDA1 eViator
MD Aircraft's MDA1 eViator is designed to feature a power bay with interchangeable batteries, and it can be adapted for hydrogen-electric or hybrid propulsion systems.

MD Aircraft is pressing to close a Series A funding round to advance work on its 10-seat MDA1 eViator electric regional airliner. If the German start-up can secure €5 million ($5.8 million) in fresh capital, it will unlock a further €13.3 million in government funding to support work needed to achieve a first flight with a technology demonstrator in 2028.

Over the past 12 months, MD Aircraft has had to explore new options for its powertrain after its original partner, Rolls-Royce, closed its electric propulsion business unit. The company’s lead development engineer, Erick Vianello, said it hopes to name new partners once the Series A round is complete, having learned lessons from being dependent on one supplier for such a key system.