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By Bryan Corliss

April 4, 2019, © Leeham News: While one Western Washington electric aircraft company is charging forward with battery-powered flight, another may be encountering headwinds.

Zunum, which has announced plans to put a hybrid-electric-powered aircraft into the air before the year’s end, may need a cash infusion if it’s to stick to that time line.

Unlike MagniX – which announced March 26 a deal with Vancouver’s Harbour Air to start putting electric motors into the airline’s existing fleet of seaplanes – Bothell-based Zunum is pursuing a clean-sheet aircraft design.

Summary

• Electric plane builder Zunum plans to fly hybrid test aircraft this year.
• The company says it plans to announce a manufacturing site -- or maybe an airframing partner -- in 2020.
• Reports say the company needs more investor cash to avoid schedule slips.