Dovetail Electric Aviation has announced a contract from Spanish carrier Air Nostrum for the conversion of 10 aircraft to utilise its hydrogen fuel cell, battery electric powertrain.
The Rose Bay, Sydney company took to social media to confirm the order from the airline, which is one of the investors in the electric propulsion technology company.
Dovetail said: “Extremely relevant announcement today for Dovetail Electric Aviation at the Dubai Airshow, with our investor and now customer, Air Nostrum, committing to our project with an order for 10 conversions.
“Our tally stands at more than 80 conversions and $150 million and raising, showing significant traction with our pragmatic approach that will allow us to reach the market sooner than others.”
Dovetail was founded in 2020 with a mission: “Dovetail’s vision is to lead the regional and general aviation industry into an exciting new, sustainable era by enabling operators to fly commercially viable routes in nil-emission, electric-powered aircraft.”
In September the company won the award of Start-up of the Year at the Australian Aviation ceremony for 2023, organised in partnership with the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
Earlier flightglobal.com reported that Air Nostrum has signed for 10 hydrogen-electric aircraft, with no details being released of which aircraft are to be converted.
However Air Nostrum operates Bombardier CRJ regional jets and ATR 72 turboprops on behalf of Iberia.
The website quoted Dovetail Chief Executive David Doral as saying that equally Air Nostrum may consider smaller aircraft types of around 19 seats.
Dovetail’s first conversion programme is an all-electric version of the Cessna Caravan, which it expects to fly for the first time at the end of 2024 ahead of certification in 2025 or 2026.
Ground tests of the fuel cell-based powertrain that will eventually equip a converted Beechcraft King Air will also begin next year, said Doral.
SOURCE: @AuManufacturing
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