Flieger magazine reports, “Piper Deutschland AG has announced a strategic investment in MD Aircraft GmbH . The goal of the collaboration is to advance the development and production of the all-electric regional aircraft MDA1 eViator.”
(Note: based on later reporting, the power bays may be incorporated into the lower part of the fuselage. The blog will attempt to gain verification of this.)
Providing MD the financial stability of Piper’s funding and for Piper the planned design for a twin-motored commuter liner in the size and performance range familiar to established Piper customers, the compact should be beneficial to both companies.
The MDA1 Aircraft
An “all-electric short-haul aircraft with a range of up to 400 kilometers (248 miles),” The MDA1 should suit the needs of most regional commuter lines internationally.
We wrote about the craft last year, comparing it to a VW camper bus for the skies, and its versatility would seem to bear that out.
MD Aircraft GmbH, founded by the aircraft engineers of MD Flugzeugbau GmbH, has developed and manufactured aircraft for over 30 years.
The MDA1’s first flight, planned for 2027, will be followed by certification and series production by the end of 2030. The eViator’s clean-sheet design is intended to represent a completely new approach to aircraft construction – emission-free, quiet, and efficient.
Kasaero’s Involvement
MDA-1 components allow for ease of manufacture, maintenance
Support From All Partners
Patrick Weilbach, CEO of Piper Deutschland AG, explains, “Electric propulsion opens up completely new possibilities for aviation – both ecologically and economically. The MDA1 eViator marks a milestone and represents efficient, sustainable air mobility in Europe.”
Tim Markwald, Managing Director of MD Aircraft, agrees on the importance of the partnership. “We are very pleased to be working with Piper Germany – a partner who shares our vision and supports us not only financially but also strategically.”
The battery system created by MD Aircraft will have a “power bay” with batteries intalled in the lower fuselage. Alcock explains that MD believes this approach will make swapping batteries easier between flights, and intends to market the concept to other aircraft and power system developers.
Economically, the MDA1 “could deliver operating costs that are between 27% and 60% lower than current regional airliners of around the same size. The single-pilot aircraft will be certified under EASA’s CS-23 rules.” This promised economy could account for the 40 signed letters of intent for purchase of the airplane. MD Aircraft thinks they could make a peak production of 258 units per year.