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

Canadian regional airline Air Tindi is to participate in a joint MagniX/NASA program to evaluate plans to convert DeHavilland Canada Dash 7 twin-turboprop aircraft to electric propulsion. It will provide one of its aircraft for flight trials due to begin in 2025, and the project is also now being supported by AeroTec, which will help MagniX to integrate its electric motor with the airframe.
NASA’s <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-10-28/nasa-invests-further-rd-more-efficient-airliner-engines">Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration</a> (EPFD) project started in 2021, when the U.S. government agency awarded Washington state-based MagniX $74.3 million in funding. It is part of a multi-year program to demonstrate the potential for electric propulsion in the air transportation sector.
Air Tindi, which operates scheduled and charter flights to remote communities across northern Canada from its base in Yellowknife in the country’s Northwest Territories, will provide one of its 50-seat Dash 7 aircraft to be retrofitted and available for flight testing. This will be powered by its existing Pratt &amp; Whitney PT6 engines as well as a pair of MagniX’s Magni650 electric propulsion units.
MagniX is already working on plans to convert the smaller Beaver and Caravan aircraft to electric propulsion in partnership with operators such as Vancouver-based Harbour Air. It is also providing electric motors for its sister company Eviation’s new nine-passenger Alice aircraft.
“The EPFD project provides an exciting collaboration with industry partners to advance aircraft propulsion in order to expedite the use of hybrid electric systems for commercial air travel,” said Lee Noble, director of NASA's integrated aviation systems program. “Introducing these innovative electric propulsion technologies for existing and next-generation aircraft will help meet the aviation community’s future sustainability goals.”
&nbsp;

Charles Alcock

A 50-seat DeHavilland Canada Dash 7 is to be converted for NASA-backed flight trials using MagniX's electric propulsion systems. (Image: BAE Systems)

MagniX Teams with Air Tindi and AeroTec for NASA's Electric Powertrain Project

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

In this article

MagniX

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN