Magnix eCaravan Suffered Electric Power Loss During Testing Earlier this year JF alerted you to the first flight of the Magnix 'eCaravan'. Essentially it is a retrofitted Cessna C208 Caravan. It was retrofitted in a collaboration between Magnix and AeroTec and replaces the regular Pratt & Whitney PT6A engine with a Magni500 electric engine capable of 750 horse power. Of course the Pratt & Whitney powerplant was a bit more powerful at 867 horse power. The catch here though is that this Caravan is fully electric and operates without any major emissions. The technology though being tested has a promising future but won't come without fault as Magnix experienced earlier in the year while testing.
While the aircraft was flying the aircraft lost approximately a quarter of its power due to an inverter shutting down. That in itself even though it was an issue showcased the flexibility of the engine. The test pilot continued to fly the aircraft with three-quarters of the available power or 75 percent. With regular piston or turboprop or even jet engines normally if there is a serious problem the entire engine needs to be shutdown. Of course the event helps to validate the testing they are doing with the eCaravan. It is best to find out about problems and teething issues during testing, afterall that is part of the point of testing. For more information: Magnix www.magnix.aero ***
