Our Story
We are aviation, technology and business executives who recognized the importance of electrification in aviation. It was easy to see the tremendous power to weight ratio and reliability of electric motors. While others jumped in, particularly with VTOL applications, where an electric motor’s instantaneous power really shines; we demurred while we studied the technical aspects and economics of high performance battery production.
Our origin story comes from the perspective of seaplane pilots. We knew how much seaplanes craved the power electric motors could bring. The thinking was (and is) seaplanes are naturally designed as heavy lift aircraft, so battery weight wasn’t quite so daunting. And, as seaplanes could restrict themselves to short hop missions, say 200 miles or less, the market might just be ready for an electric amphibious seaplane. Particularly as electric aviation has lower operating costs. And, with carbon fiber composite technology, another big seaplane cost item, corrosion maintenance, disappears. Remove the cost of most or all of the fuel it was clear significant operating cost reduction was now possible. Amphibious seaplanes could provide flexible air access around the world, at dramatically lower cost. We knew we were on the right track.
M1-E
Our approach gathered industry experts and we continued, fortunate to be self-funded. We watched overly optimistic (particularly VTOL efforts) confront the reality of flight physics and battery energy density.
And then, new engine technology leapt forward changing the hybrid equation.
We admit, at first, we saw hybrid technology as something like a Toyota Prius. Fine, but I’d rather own a Tesla long range.
The arrival of the lightweight, compound turbo, compression ignition, direct injection two stroke engines changed performance numbers in a fundamental way. Suddenly, a lightweight engine could maintain cruise flight sipping very little energy dense Jet A, and with very little battery weight, light electric motors could get us off the ground (and water) with their abundant power. Way better than any heat engine option. Better than any all electric option. Each technology doing what they were best at, combined with our patent pending direct drive design produced a breakthrough in payload and range.
Now
Carbon Seaplanes is more than our airframe partner supplier. Walter Fellows (CEO and owner of Carbon Seaplanes) and Mark Manhke (General Manager and owner of Carbon Seaplanes) are part of the ownership group at Maxwell Aircraft. They are joined by a superlative hands-on owner group of industry professionals who deeply understand technology, manufacturing at scale, defense requirements, and of course, seaplanes. Our Harry Shannon is the world’s resident expert (and lecturer) on Seaplane safety and maintenance. Two of our owners are West Point graduates. Our vision, to bring high performance amphibious seaplane flexible access with dramatically lower operating costs to the world is alive and well.
It is an exciting time for us at Maxwell as the first carbon fiber and Kevlar versions of the proven fiberglass composite “Gweduck” have come off the production line and are headed for final assembly.
We are excited for our first flight tests in 2027 and the opportunity to participate in some of the most exciting technology developments in the history of aviation.
Ownership
With backgrounds as seaplane pilots, as entrepreneurs, and in aerospace engineering, we quickly concluded that excellence in manufacturing would be key to our future success. We sought out those with the most experience to form Maxwell Aircraft.
ABOUT MAXWELL