A passenger hydroplane that can go approximately 100 miles on a single charge is being developed by aircraft manufacturer Jekta Switzerland SA, based in Switzerland. Now, the business disclosed that it had already received its first order.
Manufacturer of electric seaplanes receives its first order
The PHA-ZE 100 electric seaplane was unveiled by Jekta at the Abu Dhabi Air Show the previous year. Jekta is proposing a commercial displacement seaplane for the first time since the middle of the last century, the business declared on Facebook.
The 180 kW of electricity generated by the amphibious aircraft’s 10 electric motors and electric propulsion system will result in zero emissions.
According to Jekta, the electric seaplane will be able to cruise at speeds up to 135 knots for an additional 2 hours of flight time.
The PHA-ZE 100 can accommodate up to 19 passengers and three crew members in a variety of configurations.
Modern composite materials were used in the construction of the aircraft, and it has cutting-edge piloting and navigational technologies.
According to Jekta, the seaplane effectively “means the lowest cost per passenger feasible and the prospect of being used with limited or no ground amenities at all” due to its zero emissions.
Reuters reports that the manufacturer of electric seaplanes has already received its first order. Gayo Aviation and Tourism, based in Dubai, received an order for ten aircraft as part of an effort to cut emissions. Although the deal’s terms were not disclosed, large conventional seaplanes can cost more than $1 million.
According to Jekta CEO George Alafinov, who was also the creator of the hydroplane manufacturer Aerovolga, the electric seaplane is anticipated to enter service in 2029.
EAutoArena’s Opinion
Electric seaplane development has been spearheaded by a number of aircraft manufacturers. For instance, in 2019 Harbour Air, a commercial seaplane operator based in British Columbia, unveiled the world’s first all-electric aircraft in collaboration with MagniX.
Despite making up a small portion of the civil aviation fleet, seaplanes can be particularly hazardous in terms of greenhouse gas emissions because of their brief and repeated pauses.
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