AeroTEC and Pratt & Whitney Canada Pioneering the Future of Sustainable Aviation with Hybrid-Electric Demonstrator
In a significant development for sustainable aviation, Seattle-based aerospace company AeroTEC has been selected to spearhead the modification and testing of a hybrid-electric aircraft demonstrator, partnering with Pratt & Whitney Canada. The testing will take place at AeroTEC’s Flight Test Center in Moses Lake, Washington.
The project centers on converting a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 aircraft into a hybrid-electric demonstrator. The modified aircraft will integrate a thermal engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada with a 1-megawatt electric motor created by Collins Aerospace, both subsidiaries of RTX.
The innovative propulsion system aims to achieve up to 30% better fuel efficiency compared to current regional turboprop aircraft. The project includes a specially designed mobile charging unit, while the 200-kilowatt-hour batteries will be provided by H55, a Swiss company with roots in the Solar Impulse project. H55 receives support from RTX Ventures, the venture capital division of RTX.
The announcement coincided with the Paris Air Show, where Pratt & Whitney revealed successful ground testing of the complete propulsion system and batteries in Quebec, achieving full power. While the initial flight test date remains unannounced, AeroTEC confirmed that their Seattle headquarters will handle modification design, with all flight testing and modifications occurring at their Moses Lake facility.
Justin Morigeau, AeroTEC’s President, emphasized the company’s dedication to advancing aerospace technology through this
collaboration. “This project exemplifies our commitment to
demonstrating technologies that will shape the future of sustainable aviation,” he stated.
This latest venture adds to AeroTEC’s impressive portfolio of aircraft conversion projects. The company has previously collaborated with Everett-based magniX on several groundbreaking initiatives, including the successful test flight of an all-electric Cessna Grand Caravan in 2020. Their partnership also yielded the testing of a hydrogen-powered De Havilland Dash 8-300 for Universal Hydrogen in 2023, and they supported Eviation’s all-electric aircraft testing in 2022. All these demonstrations were conducted at the Moses Lake facility.
The company’s expertise in sustainable aviation continues to expand, as evidenced by their ongoing collaboration with magniX on a NASA-funded initiative. This project involves transforming a vintage De Havilland Dash 7 turboprop into a hybrid-electric demonstration aircraft, further cementing AeroTEC’s position at the forefront of sustainable aviation technology.
The partnership between AeroTEC and Pratt & Whitney Canada represents a significant step forward in the aviation industry’s pursuit of more environmentally friendly propulsion systems. By combining traditional thermal engines with electric power, the project aims to demonstrate the viability of hybrid-electric technology in commercial aviation applications.
The selection of Moses Lake as the testing site continues to establish the facility as a crucial hub for sustainable aviation development in the Pacific Northwest. The location has consistently proven ideal for testing innovative aircraft technologies, offering the necessary infrastructure and conditions for such advanced demonstrations.
This initiative aligns with the growing industry-wide push toward reducing aviation’s environmental impact through technological innovation. The successful implementation of hybrid-electric propulsion systems could mark a significant milestone in the industry’s transition toward more sustainable operations, potentially influencing the design and development of future commercial aircraft.
