Wright Goes Back to the Future with BAe 146 Airliner Electrification Plan

The start-up announced the electric propulsion conversion plan to coincide with the ongoing United Nations COP26 climate change conference, arguing that net-zero aviation initiatives are an insufficient response.

The Wright Spirit conversion of the BAe 146 regional airliner would replace its four turbofans with electric motors to carry 100 passengers on flights of up to one hour. (Image: Wright Electric)

By Charles Alcock • Managing Editor

November 4, 2021

Wright Electric says it can get all-electric versions of the BAe 146 family of regional jets into commercial service by 2026. In a November 4 announcement, the start-up said it will replace the aircraft’s four turbofans with electric motors to support flights carrying up to 100 passengers on sectors of around an hour with a rebranded aircraft called the Wright Spirit.

Plans call for the development of the new motor, inverter, and propulsion fan to be complete by the end of 2022, in time for a converted 146 to fly with a complete electric propulsion unit (EPU) replacing one of the existing turbofans in 2023. The Wright team aims to be flying a technology demonstrator with four EPUs by 2024, as it prepares for type certification in 2026.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

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