US’s Tailwind Air eyes electric seaplanes
Tailwind Air Service (PGN, Farmingdale) has signed a Letter of Interest (LOI) with all-electric aircraft manufacturer Airflow for twenty Model 200 seaplanes.
“We actively sought out a partner that could accelerate the timeline of electric aviation’s impact in our particular segment of the market. With its combination of distributed electric propulsion and a modern airframe that still uses traditional construction, flight controls, and the like, the Airflow aircraft has a definable development timeline and a clear path to certification,” Chief Executive Alan Ram said.
If firmed and the aircraft delivered, the carrier would deploy the electric seaplanes on its New England and mid-Atlantic network. It did not, however, provide any estimates concerning potential delivery and service entry dates.
Currently, Tailwind Air Services operates scheduled services connecting New York Skyports SPB, Boston Harbor SPB, and Bridgeport using Cessna (single turboprop) C208EX Grand Caravan amphibians. It also operates passenger executive charters.
The Model 200 will be a distributed electric propulsion aircraft based on the Cessna (single piston) 210 model, capable of carrying up to nine passengers or 2,000 pounds (910 kilogrammes) of cargo, and powered by ten engines. Airflow is targeting 2025 for the type’s certification. It aims to develop propulsion that will not require any additional infrastructure. That said, the Model 200 will be available as an all-electric, hybrid electric, or electric-hydrogen system. The manufacturer is led by team members who worked on Airbus A³ Vahana all-electric aircraft concept.
Tailwind Air Services aims to be the Airflow Model 200 seaplane’s launch operator even though the start-up has already garnered orders for its fixed-gear variant. In June 2021, Ravn Alaska (7H, Anchorage Ted Stevens) signed an LOI to order up to 50 aircraft. While Airflow did not disclose any other potential customers, it claimed to have over USD600 million in tentative orders in August 2021.