An electric tow network for the skies

Batteries and hydrogen aren’t energy dense enough to power electric aircraft for long flights. So we use a network of Tow Aircraft to bring more energy to them in the sky. Aerotowing is a lot safer and simpler than inflight charging.

Operations

A flight with Magpie

Without Magpie, a zero-emission aircraft simply couldn’t carry a full load of passengers on a flight like San Francisco to Seattle.

A hybrid-electric MAIN AIRCRAFT takes off on electric power and climbs to initial altitude.

The TOW AIRCRAFT departs from its charging base at a secondary airport.

The two aircraft meet in the sky and connect autonomously, at a safe distance.
‍
The TOW AIRCRAFT begins towing while the MAIN AIRCRAFT idles for a smooth and quiet ride.

For longer routes, the TOW AIRCRAFT is swapped out en route.

The Tow Aircraft are cycled quickly– following a charge, Tow Aircraft 1 will be back in the air serving another Main Aircraft before Tow Aircraft 2 lands.

A hybrid-electric MAIN AIRCRAFT takes off on electric power and climbs to initial altitude.

The TOW AIRCRAFT departs from its charging base at a secondary airport.

The two aircraft meet in the sky and connect autonomously, at a safe distance.
‍
The TOW AIRCRAFT begins towing while the MAIN AIRCRAFT idles for a smooth and quiet ride.

For longer routes, the TOW AIRCRAFT is swapped out enroute.

The Tow Aircraft are cycled quickly– following a charge, Tow Aircraft 1 will be back in the air serving another Main Aircraft before Tow Aircraft 2 lands.

Performance

A range of possibilities

Magpie enables zero-emission aircraft to serve over 80% of the world's top 100 routes. Tow aircraft will be based at rural airports and only a few of these bases are needed to serve a wide network of flights.

San Francisco

New York

Stockholm

Sydney

Safety

A modern twist on a century-old approach

Magpie builds from established safety procedures and regulatory precedents in aerotowing and military aerial refueling. Our technology handles the connection between two aircraft autonomously, only requiring the pilots to monitor ongoing procedures. The two aircraft also fly with a large separation and the Tow Aircraft flies slightly lower for better handling in icing and other inclement conditions.

Magpie is a program of record with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); we are collaborating to develop our path to certification.

FOUNDATION

Why electric?

If the range limitations weren't an issue, battery-electric aircraft would be an obvious bet. Batteries have gotten 97% cheaper over the past three decades, a trend that is only going to continue.

Electric aircraft are also by far the most efficient sustainable aviation technology. That efficiency is important when considering the vast amounts of renewables we have to allocate across all sectors in the future.

While the Magpie approach is novel, it stems from a very pragmatic root: how can we enable electric aircraft to tackle the bulk of aviation emissions with current technology and regulatory precedents?

Economics

The cheapest way to fly long distances with zero emissions

Even with the additional tow aircraft, the Magpie approach is cost-competitive. It allows airlines to operate large electric aircraft, which can save significantly on their highest costs: fuel and maintenance. These savings approximately balance out the additional cost of towing. Towing is kept cheap through simple tow aircraft, and operation from secondary airports, among other factors.

This is in line with industry predictions that battery-electric aircraft will be substantially cheaper than sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”) or hydrogen-powered aircraft.

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