Aircraft
MD Aircraft Steps Up Work on Nine-Seat MDA1 Electric Airplane
German company is building an iron bird test rig to start ground testing
MD Aircraft's MDA1 electric aircraft
MD Aircraft's MDA1 electric aircraft is intended for new passenger and cargo regional airline services.

MD Aircraft is assembling an iron bird ground test rig for its 10-seat MDA1 electric aircraft and aims to start using this to evaluate its design in early 2025. The company, which is a spinoff from German aviation engineering group MD Flugzeugbau, has said it aims to have a technology demonstrator flying by early 2027 as it works toward type certification and first deliveries by 2030.

According to MD Aircraft’s technical project manager, Erick Vianello, the aircraft will have a range of around 400 kilometers (216 nm) and be able to carry nine passengers or three standard cargo containers. The MDA1 is expected to be able to operate from runways as short as 500 meters (1,640 feet), opening up new direct air services to smaller cities.