Tier 1 Robinson e-R44 Electric Helicopter Takes to the Skies With The Goal of Transporting Organs For Human Transplant

The all-electric Robinson-44 helicopter driven by a magniX electric propulsion unit made its successful first flight, according to magniX, a Washington State-based maker of electric aircraft motors owned by Singapore (EPU).

The flight on Saturday, June 4, 2022, was carried out by Tier 1 Engineering, a Santa Ana-based engineering services company that specializes in lightweight aircraft constructions, at California’s Los Alamitos Army Airfield.

“This milestone event underlines again and again magniX’s dedication to lead the electrification of aviation by inventing and delivering industry-leading technologies via smart innovation and customer centricity,” said magniX CEO Nuno Taborda.

For Lung Biotechnology PBC, a Maryland-based biotech business looking for ways to alleviate the significant lack of transplantable organs in the United States, Tier 1 is creating the all-electric Robinson R44.

A magniX EPU is fitted into a Tier 1 battery system that powers the experimental helicopter. For the aim of acquiring a Supplemental Type Certificate for the electric R-44 project, Tier 1 is now coordinating with the FAA Aircraft Certification Office in Los Angeles.

Lung Biotechnology PBC intends to purchase a fleet of such aircraft, subject to certification, and use them to deliver organs for human transplants.