Tier1 Chooses MagniX Propulsion System for Electric R44 Helicopter
The start-up has taken delivery of the first of the MagniX Magni350 electric propulsion units that it will use to convert piston-powered Robinson R44 helicopters.
Tier 1 Engineering has selected MagniX’s Magni350 electric propulsion unit (EPU) to power its planned converted version of the Robinson R44 helicopter. The start-up is seeking an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) to bring the eR44 model into commercial service to carry human organs for transplant procedures.
Launch customer Lung Biotechnology has committed to buying an unspecified number of the semi-autonomous aircraft. In test flights, Tier 1 has flown up to around 40 miles. The company has yet to publish performance data for the production version of the eR44, but it is expected to have a flight endurance of around an hour at speeds of around 90 mph. The standard piston-powered R44 can fly up to 345 miles.
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