Washington-based electric motor manufacturer MagniX has partnered with Brazilian aeronautical company, Desaer, to develop the ATL-100H, a hybrid electric iteration of the ATL-100 regional aircraft. The ATL-100H is expected to save between 25-40% of fuel depending on the range of the operation, a significant achievement in carbon emission reductions.
Introduced in 2020, the ATL-100 is a flexible twin-turboprop, high-wing, utility aircraft currently under development by Desaer and will be the first to enter into service. It has a wingspan of 20 m, a T-tail, two 1,000 hp turboprop engines, and a fixed tricycle landing gear capable of carrying up to 19 passengers. The aircraft can fly at a maximum altitude of 7,620 meters (25,000 ft), reach a top speed of 428 km/h (266 mph), and the range is almost 1,400 km (870 miles).
The new hybrid-electric ATL-100H will be developed in collaboration with MagniX. It will be powered by two magni350 electric propulsion units (EPUs) and two turboprop engines. Each EPU will include a magni350 motor, two magniDrive 100, and a closed-loop integrated thermal management system.
The battery-powered hybrid aircraft will utilize both an electric and gas motor, with the goal of achieving significant levels of fuel economy and carbon emission reduction without compromising the performance and range required for regional aviation. MagniX says its electric propulsion system will reduce risk, operating costs, and noise, while promoting increased efficiency.
“The ATL-100H and future versions of the aircraft will enable customers and operators to achieve carbon emission reduction targets while maintaining the low operating costs offered by DESAER‘s ATL family of aircraft,” said Evandro Fileno DESAER’s CEO. “The ATL-100H will enable operators to connect more remote communities via aviation, opening up greater economic opportunities across Brazil.”
