Posted on 03/29/2011 10:17:49 AM PDT by smokingfrog
Electric airplanes are getting more numerous, with the latest making its initial flight in Augsburg, Germany. The Elektra One, developed by Calin Gologan of PC-Aero, was flown by test pilot Jon Karkow.
Since that flight, the aircraft has completed an additional three flights for up to 30 minutes. It will next be upgraded with a variable pitch prop and retractable landing gear.
Karkow was the project leader and test pilot for the around-the-world Virgin Global Flyer, and more recently served as technical program manager for the Virgin Galactic commercial space program at Scaled Composites in California.
The single-seat Elektra One is claimed to have a three-hour endurance using rechargeable batteries and a range of more than 216 nm. The aircraft has a payload of 220 pounds and claimed to cruise at 86 knots.
It is the first of a family of airplanes. The Elektra Two will carry two passengers, while the Elektra Four will carry four. Half of the design work is completed for the two-seat model.
Every electric airplane needs a solar-powered hangar, right? After all, there is a lot of battery recharging to do between flights. Elektra One comes with its own solar-powered hangar. The complete system, airplane and hangar, will enter the market at a goal price of $141,300, a variable price based on the Euro.
The aircraft will first be offered in Germany in the Ultralight class, or it can be sold in the US as Experimental when it comes to market. Eventually it will be sold as a U.S. light sport aircraft, when ASTM standards are completed for electric aircraft. That could take one to two years, designer Gologan said in a telephone interview from Germany. Gologan will complete German and ASTM certification, and then sell the project to Neo Wings for serious production.
(Excerpt) Read more at aopa.org ...
They could use interchangable batteries like a fork lift.
The biggest obstacle to that would be the FAA. I’m sure they could write a 1000 page book of regulations for it. The article I read in “Flying” magazine said they were going to put the batteries in the wing, the space currently filled with fuel.
“Would you get in a glider?”
Umm.. no. Plus, that doesn’t look like a glider. It looks like a brick with a propeller.
All the single engine prop planes look like that. Funny how we/I have got all that confidence in four banger Lycoming with lots of parts to fail and none in this cute puppy. LOL
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