Eric Lindbergh, grandson of Charles A. Lindbergh, awarded the LEAP Prize to Pipistrel’s Ivo Boscarol at the just-finished Aero General Aviation convention in Friedrichshafen, Germany. *** The 3rd annual e-Flight gathering took place there also, and Lindbergh’s Best Electric Aircraft award went to Pipistrel’s Taurus Electro. *** There were some notable challengers in the category and three finalists: the Taurus, the Electric Cri-Cri (power by Electravia), and Eric Raymond’s Sunseeker II solar airplane. *** Also awarded was the Best Electric Propulsion. The two finalists were the LZ Design FES (Front Engine Sustainer) system and the Rapid 200 Fuel Cell propulsion system from Polytechnic Torino. *** The LZ FES was the winner. *** The LEAP 2011 Outstanding Achievement Award went to Bertrand Piccard, Andre Borschberg and the Solar Impulse Team for its electric around-the-world project airplane. *** A romantic, and apt, spin on the awards is linking today’s electric pioneers to Lucky Lindy’s amazing transatlantic flight in 1927, which pretty much singlehandedly changed the global perception of aviation from a daredevil hobby or foolhardy mail delivery system to the common transportation, recreational and warfare tool it has become.
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Electric Motorglider For Sale
Catching up on some particulars with Randall Fishman of ElectraFlyer after our chat at Sun n Fun, he told me he’s selling his prototype C model for $49,000.
Here’s what he had to say about it and other aspects of his electric powered aircraft pioneering efforts: “We have sold trikes since 2007. Most of our sales are propulsion kits, batteries and chargers for people either building something new or converting to electric. The first two of the new motors are in my shop now and we will be mounting them for testing.
“The C is a one off conversion of a plane I already owned (a Moni kit motorglider). I want to sell it now to help finance the new projects. It is really the first successful electric airplane other than some exotic million dollar science projects such as the solar planes. I hope there is a collector out there.
Electric Waiex Makes Maiden Flight
Followers of these exciting pioneering days of electric-powered aircraft will be happy to know the all-electric Waiex just made its maiden flight at Wittman Field, home of Oshkosh Airventure — and Sonex Aircraft. *** John Monnett, head honcho of Sonex, which built the proof-of-concept version of its Waiex kit aircraft as part of its E-Flight Initiative, took the controls for the flight, tasked primarily with breaking out of ground effect to analyze in-flight system performance. *** After landing, John said, “Whew. It’s different! Lot of power.” *** The program started four years ago, and involves the airplane and Sonex’s development of its own proprietary motor, battery and speed controller — all vital parts of electric propulsion technology.Jeremy Monnett, John’s son and CEO/General Manager of Sonex, said the company will test the aircraft over the next several months and has already begun design work on the fourth version of the motor and twelfth version of the motor controller, which will be integrated into the current Waiex test bed.
Electric Cessna Skyhawk update
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.
Electricity In The Air!
All-electric airplane fans, this’ll stand your hair on end! Next month’s 2010 EAA Airventure at Oshkosh, WI – easily the biggest air show in America every year – will feature activities focusing on the most exciting developments in electric flight all week long. *** Visitors to the show will find display booths, daily forums and demonstration flights out on the flight line. Can you say…Zap!? *** And on July 30 there’s a major event: Airventure’s World Symposium on electric-powered flight. The day-long discussion will cover all aspects on the future of electric aviation. *** Check out who’s on the panel of moderators of aviation industry leaders: * legendary Scaled Composites founder Burt Rutan * Electric Aircraft Corporation founder and electric flight pioneer Randall Fishman (currently working on ElectraFlyer-X two-seat S-LSA * Yuneec International founder Tian Yu (Yuneec made a sensation at Oshkosh ’09 with its two-place E430 electric LSA), * FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt * Sonex Aircraft founder John Monnett * Earthstar Aircraft founder Mark Beierle, whose eGull ultralight displayed at AirVenture ’09 * Erik Lindbergh, who launched an Electric Aircraft Prize through his Lindbergh Foundation at Sun ‘n Fun this year.
Bristell LSA-Maker BRM Aero Reaches #1,000 Milestone
In the airplane-manufacturing enterprise, very few companies have exceeded four figures of aircraft deliveries. The newest producer to achieve this feat did so in only 15 years.
BRM Aero announced, “Last year (2024) was a remarkable year for Bristell Aircraft. Reaching our 1,000th aircraft milestone, securing vital certifications, and maintaining strong production numbers have demonstrated our commitment to excellence in aviation.”
I wrote about BRM hitting 300 deliveries in 2017 (eight years after starting up). Now, seven years later BRM has reached their 1,000th aircraft delivered. That’s a second half average of 100 units per year, a production rate any company would be proud to have — even for businesses operating many more years. In 2024 alone, 112 Bristell models were delivered showing the current pace the Czech company is achieving.
Part of the reason for this success is a surprising diversity of aircraft models based on the original.
Superlight… Aircraft that Weigh Less than You Do and Are More Affordable
My title avoided the word “ultralight” even if these two aircraft qualify. The American entry can readily fit FAA’s Part 103 as an Ultralight Vehicle, freeing the pilot from having to register the aircraft, or have a pilot certificate, or possess any sort of “medical” to fly it.
The French entry cannot qualify as a Part 103 but I find it surprising this super lightweight machine is a two seater and can be electric-powered. It is not available in the USA at this time but the brand once had a strong American presence. I owned one of their light trikes myself a couple decades back. Here’s a full review from 2004.
Welcome to brief reviews of two very light weight-shift aircraft, North Wing’s SkyMax and La Mouette’s Samson. (La Mouette is French for seagull.)
That these two are also more affordable may come to the rescue of budgets under assault by persistent inflation.
New Buyer for Icon Reported — What Happens Now?
Icon is a global enterprise. While its headquarters remains in Vacaville, California, fabrication is done in Mexico, and ownership is in China. For some years, this American start-up has benefitted from Chinese investment.
How much investment has this California company attracted? Numbers I’ve been quoted vary enormously but all estimates run into many millions of dollars. If these guesses are even close to accurate, Icon has generated more investment funding than nearly any LSA producer. Only one outstrips them. That was a reported $200 million sale of Pipistrel to Textron, owner of Cessna and other aviation brands. I hope the aerospace conglomerate got all they hoped for because that is a super-premium valuation for any LSA company, even one as tech-savvy as Pipistrel.
Icon has performed reasonably well in recent years (“200 Delivered” report) but prior investments in the company require sales volumes that are difficult to reach, especially with a $400,000 price tag.
Flight of the Phoenix (Motorglider) — Top 50 Video Star Is Back with News
The Top 50 video series has gone over very well and continues with this post about the Phoenix LSA motorglider. If you thought it disappeared and were unhappy about that, have I got good news for you!
I am aware of a very positive development regarding Phoenix that I am working to confirm. As soon as I have fuller details I will update this article but the prospects for LSA motorglider look promising.
In North America, Phoenix Air USA is run by Ed Babovec (email) and he is excited about 2024. …more as it unfolds.
Motorgliders as a subset of all aircraft enjoy some very special privileges that endear them to the recreational flying community. In particular, motorgliders do not require an aviation medical. That alone makes them desirable but long-gliding capabilities make them safer to some pilots and simply more enjoyable to others. Let’s look a little more deeply.
LSA Pilot Review of a Multicopter: Lift Aircraft’s Part 103-Eligible Hexa
Ready or not, new flying machines are headed our way. Correction, they are already here and a wave of similar entries could follow (see earlier reports). The earliest market-ready arrivals qualify under FAR Part 103.
I believe this website needs to report these aircraft, so with pleasure, I announce the following to be perhaps the first multicopter pilot report from “one of us.” Scott Severen is a longtime LSA pilot, the importer of Jabiru aircraft, and the newly-elected President of LAMA, the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association. Scott offers his impressions as one of the very first non-company pilots to fly one of these aircraft.
Some call them multicopters (me). Some prefer eVTOL. C’mon, have you said a mouthful like “eVTOL” to any non-pilot? …or even to most pilots? They look at you blankly, “Huh?” Marketers of these aircraft have yet to settle on a catchy word to identify them.
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