Airline Regional Express (ASX: REX) has taken a 20% stake in start-up Dovetail Electric Aviation.
No value for the investment has been disclosed.
Dovetail has a mission of converting propeller driven aircraft, used by regional airlines, to sustainable electric power. The company’s strategy involves integrating as many off-the-shelf components as possible in its technology.
The Rex investment follows the announcement last year of a strategic partnership between the airline and Dovetail and then Dovetail announcing in February the successful completion of initial ground tests involving its small-scale electric propulsion system (EPS).
Rex is to appoint a director to Dovetail’s board following its investment.
Dovetail recently received a $3 million grant from the federal government’s Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) program. The company says this funding will be instrumental in facilitating the development of electric propulsion systems for aircraft used on regional routes by Rex and other airlines.
In addition to Rex, Dovetail’s investors include European airlines Volotea and Air Nostrum. Other supporters include tourism air charter business Sydney Seaplanes, electric motors company magniX and Swinburne University of Technology. A Sydney Seaplanes Cessna Caravan aircraft is scheduled to be the first to be converted to nil emissions electric power by Dovetail.
Gold Coast-founded, but now Seattle-based magniX is working on developing hydrogen fuel cell and battery powered electric aero engines.
Dovetail says its recent ground test proved a magniX magni250 electric motor was able to spin a three-blade aero propeller using its technology.
The company is now working towards combining more powerful magniX motors with energy storage systems and other components in its EPS. The company says the technology is progressing toward certification by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Image: The type of small size, short range, passenger aircraft Dovetail is planning to power for emissions-free travel.