Partners MD Aircraft GmbH, Kasaero GmbH, and Rolls Royce Electrical are crafting a 10-seat electrically-powered MDA 1 airliner. Intended for the short-haul and regional market, the airplane will provide comfort, economy and safety.
In an interview arranged by Karl Kaeser, CEO of Kasaero, your editor spoke with MD’s CEO, Gregor Müller. Co-CEO Tim Markwald was on another project during this interview.
They describe their current project as a Volkswagen Van of the skies. Like the boxy little “bus” of the 1960s, MDA’s twin-motor aircraft will provide utilitarian, but comfortable transport for people and goods. Like the VW, everyone will get a window seat.
MDA 1 is powered by Roll-Royce motors in integrated propulsion pods
Unlike the old Kombi, the aircraft will climb quickly and efficiently, something difficult with the original vehicle’s 36-horsepower engine and more than two on board. The MDA 1 is designed for short and sometimes unimproved fields, and is able to land and take off over a 50-foot obstacle in 500 meters (1,640 feet). Part of this is possible due to the 22-meter (72.18-foot) wing, which lowers span loading for more efficient climbing and a low-energy-use cruise.
That 100 to 120 knot cruise (115 to 138 mph) enables low battery usage and sufficient range to reach most airports anywhere within Germany (or any country) with a required 30-minute reserve of battery energy. Initially designed for a range of 150 to 200 nautical miles (278 to 370 kilometers) – the craft will improve on that with improved batteries, as will happen for all battery-powered craft. Furthermore, they are prepared to accommodate other emerging technologies like Hydrogen and Range Extenders without considerable compromise.
Integrated Propulsion Pods
Rolls-Royce Electrical is designing a “commuter-class propulsion system” for the MDA 1, integrated with motor and controller. This system will simplify operation and maintenance with battery packs quickly rechargeable, or if necessary replaceable in 20 minutes. Electric motors are simple enough that simple visual inspection is sufficient in most cases. Overhauls usually consist of visual and electrical inspections and replacement of bearings that support the ends of the rotor. Overhauls are up to 10 times less frequent than for internal combustion engines, greatly reducing maintenance costs and aircraft “down time.”
Carrying a Load
MDA 1 can hold up to a ton of materials in Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC)
Passengers will each have a window seat. Cargo and people can be combined in different ways within weight and balance limits
Regional Hops
Most of MDA 1’s flights will be under two hours and 400 kilometers (248.5 miles). Dresden to Nuremberg, for instance, is 318 road kilometers (198 miles), and shorter than that by air. An MDA 1 could travel that in less than two hours, while the same trip by car takes over 3.5 hours.
In a longer challenge, let’s take a trip from the southern border of Germany to near the North Sea. Despite Germany being famous for its Autobahns, some travel can still be time consuming. An MDA 1 trip between Freiburg to Rostock on the north coast is over 930 kilometers (577 miles) by road. Even with a conventional airline trip, there’s still a landing in Hamburg required to drop passengers off for a final train or bus trip. Even with possibly two necessary stops at regional airport, the MDA1’s journey would be faster and probably less expensive.
Future Plans
At the ILA air show in Berlin, MDA and Rolls-Royce announced expanded cooperation for further development of the electrically powered, carbon-free MDA 1.
MD explains a major selling point of the MDA 1 – its creation “from the outset in accordance with applicable certification requirements in several countries” Because MD is “an [European Aviation Safety Agency] EASA-certified development and manufacturing company with almost 30 years of experience.”
Each of its leaders is a seasoned professional, most with his or her own thirty or more years of experience.
Gregor Müller, CEO MD Aircraft, Olaf Otto, President – Electrical, Rolls-Royce, Tim Markwald, CEO MD Aircraft auf der ILA in Berlin.
Olaf Otto, President – Electrical, Rolls-Royce, sees opportunities in regional passenger and cargo flights. “We are delighted to be working with the MD Group and to be able to contribute our products and expertise to the successful development of the MDA 1.”
From a company that has a long history of airframe design and construction, to Roll-Royce with its 130-years of powerplant expertise, the MDA 1 comes with an excellent pedigree.