Tailoring Electrical Power Systems for Aerospace: A System-Level Design Approach

Abstract: Aerospace electrification spans a diverse range of platforms, each imposing distinct requirements on power system architecture. A propulsion system optimized for a fixed-wing commuter aircraft will differ fundamentally from one designed for a helicopter or a lightweight training aircraft, not only in power and speed ratings, but in how safety, redundance, and integration challenges shape every design decision. This webinar examines how magniX approaches system-level design across three distinct platforms. The magni650 Electric Propulsion Unit, a ~700 kW direct-drive system powering aircraft such as the Eviation Alice, is designed around FAA Part 33 special conditions and represents the most rigorous certification pathway for electric propulsion to date. The HeliStorm engine family, targeting rotorcraft applications at ~330 kW with operating speeds of 6,000–7,000 RPM, addresses the unique demands of vertical lift including weight sensitivity, high-speed operation, and scalability from light single-engine to hybrid-electric twin-engine configurations. Possible applications for training aircraft demonstrate how the design must balance energy density, cycle life, and safety features to meet the specific mission profile of a high-utilization training platform. Through these three case studies, the presentation illustrates how application-specific requirements including airworthiness standards, redundancy architectures, thermal management strategies, and integration constraints drive fundamentally different optimization paths, even within a single company’s technology portfolio.