Electric aircraft are in a constant arm wrestle with their gas-powered older brothers over a single issue: range. It’s the sceptic’s favourite topic, the battery-supplier’s promise, and the nut everybody wants cracking. Current solutions take the form of onboard generators to charge the batteries, hybrid-electric engines and hydrogen systems, but California-based Magpie Aviation has a unique solution. What if we deploy a network of small electric aircraft to tow bigger ones, like a relay race in the sky?

This brings two major benefits. First, we can fly much larger electric aircraft that don’t need to carry such heavy batteries. Second, we can fly far longer missions, especially where multiple tow aircraft work as a team. As a bonus, Magpie’s Active Hook technology automatically connects the aircraft in flight with 1cm accuracy.

Even if the immediate applications lie outside of high-capacity electric flight, Magpie shows how innovative solutions within Advanced Air Mobility are benefitting the wider aviation industry, in this case offering a safer solution for aerotowing missions.

In March 2024 Magpie Aviation was acquired by Ampaire1.

Image credit: Magpie Aviation

1 PRESS RELEASE: AMPAIRE ACQUIRES MAGPIE AVIATION

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