FutureFlight
Harbour Air’s All-Electric Beaver Performs First Point-to-Point Test Flight
The first eBeaver flew a 45-mile trip between Vancouver and Victoria, Canada, in 24 minutes.
Harbour Air is converting its De Havilland Beaver aircraft to electric propulsion.
Harbour Air continues to fly its first eBeaver prototype on test missions while the airline awaits a new motor and batteries for the second and final flying test article. (Photo: Harbour Air)

Canadian seaplane operator Harbour Air for the first time flew its electrically powered De Havilland Beaver prototype aircraft on a point-to-point test flight this week. In an August 18 statement, the airline reported that the eBeaver flew 45 miles in 24 minutes between Vancouver and Victoria on Canada's Pacific coast. 

The aircraft, which was retrofitted with MagniX's in-development electric propulsion system in 2019, left Harbour Air’s terminal on the Fraser River adjacent to Vancouver International Airport and landed in Pat Bay, adjacent to Victoria International Airport. The eBeaver will stay in Victoria to support Harbour Air’s partnership with the BC Aviation Museum, which plans to hold an open house on August 20, before returning to Harbour Air’s maintenance facility at Vancouver International.