Engines
MagniX Eyes Medium Bells for Next Electrification Project
MagniX electric propulsion units already tested on Robinson R44
Bell 412 at Heli-Expo 2024
The Bell 412 at Heli-Expo 2024. © Mariano Rosales/AIN

Riona Armesmith, MagniX CTO, told AIN this week at Heli-Expo 2024 that the company is looking at an unspecified Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6T Twin-Pac-engined helicopter as its next rotorcraft electrification project. Armesmith said the project would replace one of the Twin-Pac’s two power turbines with an electric generator, thereby hybridizing the aircraft on which it is installed, providing both fuel efficiency and an added layer of safety redundancy.

The PT6T powers Bell models including the 212, UH-1N Twin Huey, and the 412. It consists of two PT6A power turbines that drive a common output reduction gearbox.

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