Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Lima NY, which operates charter flights as part of the Blade Urban Air Mobility network, is converting its fleet of 10 Cessna Caravan seaplanes to all-electric propulsion. Under an agreement announced today, MagniX will convert the Caravans with its electric propulsion units (EPUs) in time for operations to begin from early 2023.
MagniX is working towards supplemental type certificates for its plans to convert both the Cessna Caravan&nbsp;and DHC-2 Beaver aircraft to electric propulsion. It anticipates getting FAA approval for the battery-powered 280-kW Magni 250 and 560-kW Magni500 EPUs under Part 33 rules by early 2022. The company is also providing electric motors to sister company Eviation for its new Alice aircraft.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2020-05-29/electric-powered-grand-caravan-makes-30-minute-first-flight">Last May</a>, Seattle-based MagniX&nbsp;completed a 30-minute flight with a prototype Grand Caravan powered by the Magni500 EPU. The company and its installation partner AeroTec calls the converted aircraft the eCaravan.
Offering services under its Fly The Whale brand, Lima flies routes between Blade’s Aqua Lounge at the East 23rd Street seaplane base in New York City, the wealthy Hamptons communities at the eastern end of Long Island, and the Blade terminal in Nantucket, Massachusetts. According to Blade, the MagniX-equipped Caravans will operate emissions-free and at the same speed as Lima’s current turboprop-powered Caravans but with reduced noise and lower operating costs.
Under the new agreement, Lima will modify its own aircraft and also will have exclusive rights to modify Caravans with the Magnix EPUs in the Northeast U.S. The company operates 7 amphibious versions of the Caravan, as well as 3 ground-based aircraft, plus a number of&nbsp;Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopters from bases at Farmingdale, New York, and New Haven in Connecticut.&nbsp;
“The electrification of our accessible fleet of Blade-branded aircraft, made possible through our alliance with MagniX&nbsp;and Lima, one of our key operating partners, will further accelerate our transition to quiet, emission-free flight," said Blade president Melissa Tomkiel.
In recent weeks, Blade has signaled a strong interest in bringing new eVTOL aircraft into the fleets of its partner operators. It signed an agreement with Beta Technologies that could cover the purchase by partners of 20 of its new Alia 250 aircraft. In a separate deal, Wisk Aero agreed to operate and support up to 30 of its new eVTOL design that the company is expected to unveil later this year. The aircraft is expected to have a higher capacity and longer range than the two-seat Cora aircraft that Wisk is currently developing.

Charles Alcock

MagniX and its partner AeroTec have already flown a Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft converted to electric propulsion. (Photo: MagniX)

New York Operator Lima Signs Up For MagniX Caravan Conversion

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