Dovetail Targets Year-End Certification Basis for Electric Aviation Powertrain

Textron Inc.-owned Cessna Caravan is slated to become the first application for Dovetail Electric Aviation’s new propulsion system, as the startup moves closer to formalizing its compliance path with European regulators. Dovetail’s leadership anticipates finalizing the certification basis for its 650kW DovePower system by the end of this year, following ongoing discussions with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The company has secured a deposit-backed launch customer agreement with Norwegian start-up Ludens Aviation. Under the terms, Ludens will lease the converted electric aircraft to a skydiving operator. This agreement provides Dovetail with access to Ludens’s aircraft for necessary testing and certification activities prior to final delivery.

Physical conversion of the first Caravan is scheduled to commence in 2027, targeting a first flight by the close of that year. The delay from earlier schedules is attributed to the current challenges in raising capital, though the company reports it is nearing the close of a €5 million ($5.8 million) funding round led by a prominent aerospace firm.

To support the industrialization of its DovePack battery system, Dovetail has signed a memorandum of understanding with Spanish component specialist SCP Sintersa. The collaboration is expected to lead to the establishment of a pilot battery assembly facility at SCP Sintersa’s plant in Seville. This move aligns with Dovetail’s strategy to anchor its European industrial base at the Jerez Net-Zero Aeronautical Hub in southern Spain, where it will conduct aircraft conversions and battery testing.

Technical preparations for the powertrain were recently showcased at the Farnborough air show, featuring a system integrated with a Hartzell propeller. The propeller design has been optimized to handle the specific torque and RPM characteristics of the electric motor, which reduces noise during take-off compared to traditional turbine propulsion. However, the system retains the flexibility to utilize the existing Caravan propeller should customers prioritize lower conversion costs.

What to watch

• Finalization of EASA certification basis by year-end.
• Completion of the €5 million funding round.
• Start of physical aircraft conversion in 2027.
• Establishment of the pilot battery assembly line in Seville.

Source: original release