magniX has launched the magniAIR, an air-cooled electric engine targeting kit planes, light sport aircraft and electric flight trainers. The engine delivers 175 kW at 55 kg—what magniX claims is class-leading power-to-weight for the segment—and is designed to replace piston engines in the 120–175 kW range.

The magniAIR integrates into a full magniX powertrain that also includes power electronics and the company’s Samson battery. magniX is demonstrating the configuration in a Van’s Aircraft RV-10 kit plane, with first flight scheduled for later in 2026. The engine will be available to purchase in 2027. Initial certification targets are experimental and light sport aircraft categories.

Flight training is the primary market angle. Many training aircraft in active service today were built in the 1970s, and rising fuel and maintenance costs are pushing the price of obtaining a pilot’s license higher at a time the industry faces a pilot shortage. The FAA’s pending MOSAIC rules are also expected to widen the definition of light sport aircraft, opening additional use cases for the magniAIR.

“Many training aircraft in use today were manufactured in the 1970s,” said Ben Loxton, VP of New Product Development at magniX. “Fuel prices and maintenance costs are causing the cost of flight training to rise at the same time as the industry faces an acute shortage of pilots. magniAIR offers to reduce the expense of flight training and other small aircraft applications with a lower cost of operation, reduced maintenance, and zero carbon emissions.”

Source: magniX