Search Results for : Electric

Keeping tabs on Cessna‘s electric C-172 project in collaboration with Bye Energy of Colorado, Bye just announced it will make a presentation at the annual NBAA (National Business Aviation Association) convention this that’s going on right now in Atlanta. *** Bye Energy as I’ve blogged in the past is working on electric and electric-hybrid propulsion systems for LSA and light GA airplanes under the banner of its The Green Flight Project announced earlier this year. *** The latest news is the electric Skyhawk will fly in the first quarter of 2011. *** George Bye, CEO, had this to say recently: “This is an ambitious effort, but we are continuing to uncover additional efficiencies with electric-powered flight,” he said. “We are grateful to Cessna for its continued collaboration and support.” *** Cessna’s head honcho Jack Pelton added: “Bye Energy’s progress toward first flight of the electric Cessna 172 demonstrator is encouraging news for the future of mainstream general aviation.” *** Backgrounder: More than 43,000 Skyhawks have com off the line since 1955.

I am not alone in thinking Part 103 ultralight aircraft are the ideal platform for initial development of electric powered aircraft. Sure, someday you’ll be able to fly your 2-4 seater for 300-400 miles or more, recharge in the time it takes you to use the facilities, and be on your way again. But today, electric-powered Part 103s are available. *** You can buy the eSpyder for under $30,000 and fly for an hour or more. Accompanying photos show the Voyager ElectraChute from Powrachute, another possibility. Or, how about an electric trike? Longer-trip capability depends on better batteries. And thanks to a multibillion-dollar push from the auto industry, battery tech should develop rapidly. Ready for a short science lesson?*** According to an article in Nature Nanotechnology, researchers at MIT have developed a new method of adding carbon nanotubes to lithium-ion batteries that give the batteries the best characteristics of both capacitors and traditional lithium-ion batteries while simultaneously increasing their energy storage.

In the wake of its week long focus on electric-powered flight at the just-concluded Oshkosh AirVenture 2010, EAA just announced a $60,000 prize to “speed development of electric flight technology.” *** As I posted earlier here, during the World Symposium on Electric Aircraft, Erik Lindbergh awarded his LEAP prize to three companies for their contributions to the burgeoning technology: Yuneec International’s E430, Alex Lange’s in-production Antares 20E motorglider, and John Monett’s E-flight Initiative. *** Prize money will go to the individual or corporation that demonstrates the most promising level of achievement in electric-powered flight at AirVenture 2011. “Most promising” will be more fully detailed once EAA completes its “assessment of the status of electric flight”, according to the official release. *** EAA President Tom Poberezny praised the four companies that will make equal contributions to the $60,000 prize money: AeroLEDs, Aircraft Spruce & Specialty, Dynon Avionics, and Wicks Aircraft Supply.

Randall Fishman’s ElectraFlyer Trike pumped me up. As a trike enthusiast, my real interest is soaring. A lightweight trike with an electric motor offers real advantages (see my earlier SPLOG).
I want to climb high enough to find lift, shut off the power, and hop from thermal to thermal. To me, that’s pure flying! An electric motor starts up readily if you lose the lift. It doesn’t vibrate. It doesn’t have smelly fuel or oil. It’s quiet, other than a bit of prop noise. But was it powerful enough?
With his second project, Randall has again motivated me. The Moni he renamed ElectraFlyer C is a motor glider at heart. Again, an electric powerplant sounds perfect.
“You can fly for an hour and a half on less than $1.00 of power”…and that assumes you keep the power on. Randall and I will look each other up in Florida this winter and I’ll investigate for a further report.

After taking a few days off to boat around Lake George, NY and shoot the Red Bull Air Race in New York City, it’s time to catch up on what’s been happening. *** The Transition “Roadable Aircraft” (I can’t help but prefer the chummier “flying car”) just got a weight exemption nod from FAA for an additional 110 pounds of MTOW (max takeoff weight). That nudges the vehicle up to 1,430 pounds. *** Terrafugia‘s request for the bump is meant to provide “…the structure and equipment necessary for compliance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) which are not found in other Light Sport Aircraft.” *** They’re talking about things such as airbags, energy absorbing crumple zone and protective safety cage. *** Interestingly, Transition’s maker Terrafugia initially asked for an MTOW of 1,474 pounds.  FAA in effect said “You can have what we gave the amphib makers, but no more.” *** This evokes the ultralight days, when the original 150 lb.

Alright, I’m succumbing to Electric Fever a bit more today, but a more-thorough reading of that excellent FlightGlobal piece I mentioned in the post below has a lengthy discussion about PC-Aero, a German firm that’s coming out with its own line of electric-powered aircraft…including a four-seater for General Aviation. *** The brains behind this effort live inside Mr. Calin Gologan, who predicts an all-electric four-seat GA airplane in the next ten years.   *** His company is debuting his first prototype, a single-seater electric dubbed Elektra One, at the European Aero show in Friedrichshafen this week. *** Apparently the tantalizing prospect of winning the $1.5 million in prize money offered by the CAFE Green Flight Challenge (in 2011) was the kicker to start Gologan down the E-Plane path. *** The Electra One will be followed by an Elektra Two (two seats) and Elektra Four (four) down the road.