MDA 1: a VW Camper for the Skies

Dean Sigler Batteries, Electric Powerplants, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

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. 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 …

Ampaire Flies in the UK

Dean Sigler Batteries, Electric Powerplants, Hybrid Aircraft, Sky Taxis, Sustainable Aviation, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Having completed a series of successful island-hopping flights in Hawaii, and in Scotland, Ampaire is now in Exeter, England taking part in a government-backed program, “Aimed at moving the UK towards green aviation.”  Test Pilot Eliot Seguin has moved from his Mojave, California base to take part in the endeavor, joined by fellow test pilot Justin Gillen. Drawing a Crowd A large contingent of dignitaries attended the inaugural takeoff of Ampaire’s electric EEL, their modified Cessna 337 Skymaster.  These included Baron Martin Callanan, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Business, Energy and Corporate Responsibility at the Department for Business, Energy and Industry Strategy. He shared a realistic appraisal of the new technology.  “Nobody is pretending we will be flying over the Atlantic any time soon but for short hops between two regional airports this is absolutely ideal.” Susan Ying,  Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships and recently seen on the PBS program “The Great Electric Airplane Race,” said …