Electric seaplanes proposed by Maxwell Aircraft startup

There’s another new startup aiming to develop an electric aircraft but there’s a difference: Maxwell Aircraft wants to produce electric seaplanes based on remakes of existing designs.

Two initial offerings are planned by Florida based Maxwell Aircraft, which gets its name from 19th century Scottish physicist Joseph Maxwell, regarded as the founder of modern electrical engineering. NASA also calls its X-57 electric test aircraft ‘Maxwell’.

The Maxwell Aircraft designs include the E-Lake, an electric Lake Buccaneer amphibian, and the Maxwell M1, an electric Grumman Mallard seaplane.

Why the Lake Buccaneer? Maxwell Aircraft CEO and founder David Dillon used to fly his Buccaneer from Florida to Minnesota but worried about the noise upsetting neighbours. Hence the interest in a much quieter electric version.

The Maxwell M1 is an electric carbon fibre remake of the more useful Grumman Mallard. It will initially be offered as an experimental aircraft usable for commercial purposes by government agencies and their contractors. Later, the company plans a certified version.

“Maxwell Aircraft is taking advantage of modern design, modern materials, big hulls, and high lift wings to carry high energy density second generation lithium batteries to make air transport services economical in coastal areas,” said a statement.

“Nixing the high cost of aviation fuel, high engine maintenance costs and high corrosion repair costs of traditional seaplanes make these quiet and clean aircraft a game changer for coastal air transport services.

“These new seaplanes are expected to make the most of the limited energy capacity of the best modern lithium-ion batteries with flights up to 170 miles. Further, taking advantage of less regulated and low cost harbor facilities near population centers will boost Maxwell’s mission of reducing cost in regional air mobility.”

Maxwell Aircraft

How the electric Buccaneer might look (based on Maxwell CEO’s own aircraft)

E-Lake spec

• 12-inch diameter motor
• Total range of 140 miles
• Useful range of 110 miles, allowing for 30-mile safety and battery life preservation
• E-Lake is based on Renegade/Seawolf airframe
• Carry capacity of 550 lb.
• Instantly reversible props for best-in-class docking and maneuvering
• 285hp at any density altitude for superior get-out-of-the-water and climb performance

Maxwell M1 will have a carbon fibre airframe with two 300hp electric motors

M1 Spec

• More than 1,100 lb of initial weight savings
• Twin 300hp electric motors
• Proven design with a multi-year flight history and thousands of hours of flight time
• 135 knot cruise
• Total range 205 miles
• Useful range 170 miles (allowing for 35-mile safety and battery life preservation range)
• Payload 800 lb
• Twin motors with instantly reversible props for best-in-class docking and maneuvering
• High wing with retractable sponsons for excellent docking performance
• Slightly protruding tires for dock bumpers
• Flying boat design for superior rough water performance
• All carbon fibre and Kevlar construction for zero corrosion