Canadian floatplane operator Harbour Air has announced that the first direct all-electric point to point test flight has been completed.

The historic De Havilland Beaver was completely retrofitted in 2019 to operate using 100 per cent electricity flew 45 miles in 24 minutes.

‘Major milestone’

The aircraft left its terminal on the Fraser River adjacent to YVR and landed in Pat Bay adjacent to YYJ. The company called it a “major milestone in the advancement of all-electric commercial flights”.

“I am excited to report that this historic flight on the ePlane went exactly as planned,” said Kory Paul, Harbour Air’s vice president of flight operations and one of the company’s test pilots.

“Our team as well as the team at magniX and Transport Canada are always closely monitoring the aircraft’s performance and today’s flight further proved the safety and reliability of what we have built.”

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