Electric airplane start-up Zunum chooses Safran engine turbine

Aircraft manufacturer Zunum, backed by Boeing, will use an engine turbine from Safran to power an electric motor for the hybrid regional airplane it aims to bring into service in 2022, the company said Thursday. Zunum, based near Seattle, is among several companies seeking to reduce emissions, noise and travel costs with electric planes, underscoring growing investment in lightweight propulsion. Zunum, which is also funded by JetBlue 's investment arm, will offer its 12-seat, 700-mile aircraft - dubbed the ZA10 - to charter airlines, private companies and regional carriers globally, starting in 2022. Zunum's planes will be battery powered, with a jet fuel-powered turbogenerator to extend range. The ZA10 will cost less than US$300m to develop. <br/>