Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

German electric airplane completes first flight
aopa.org ^ | 25 Mar 2011 | Alton Marsh

Posted on 03/29/2011 10:17:49 AM PDT by smokingfrog

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-46 next last

1 posted on 03/29/2011 10:17:52 AM PDT by smokingfrog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: smokingfrog

I believe this is what George Jetson drove to work.


2 posted on 03/29/2011 10:20:17 AM PDT by Steely Tom (Obama goes on long after the thrill of Obama is gone)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: smokingfrog

Looks pretty sweet.

3 posted on 03/29/2011 10:20:16 AM PDT by Hodar (Who needs laws .... when this "feels" so right?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Hodar

Effective range 30 NM just like a dolt?


4 posted on 03/29/2011 10:22:59 AM PDT by databoss
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: smokingfrog

Does the emergency rubber band run between the legs.


5 posted on 03/29/2011 10:24:24 AM PDT by org.whodat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: smokingfrog
In a multiplace, this might be a good idea for a lot of people in my area. Flying short flights, 40 miles or less, out to the San Juan Islands is a common way for people to get around. Don't know if you really need retractable gear or anything else that competes with the limited battery juice. Back to vacuum driven instruments.

Unfortunately, by the time they get a 4 seater out, who knows what the price will be.

6 posted on 03/29/2011 10:25:49 AM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: databoss

Three hour endurance.


7 posted on 03/29/2011 10:26:37 AM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: USNBandit

Think how quiet this puppy is. Man, you can scare the #@*#@& out of geese.


8 posted on 03/29/2011 10:28:39 AM PDT by Hodar (Who needs laws .... when this "feels" so right?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: smokingfrog

I’d bet the farm this dog has a ballistic recovery system and I still wouldn’t get on board.


9 posted on 03/29/2011 10:31:44 AM PDT by Joe Boucher ((FUBO) Obammy, the man is too small.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: smokingfrog

King sized Air Hogg.


10 posted on 03/29/2011 10:33:36 AM PDT by dangerdoc (see post #6)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: smokingfrog

Being electric and flying, I have to wonder why there is no “solar panel” molded into the composite structure to charge the batteries while flying. Solar Cells are light in weight and it is a VFR plane afterall. Anyway, $141K is rediculously expensive.


11 posted on 03/29/2011 10:33:43 AM PDT by bbernard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Joe Boucher

Not on a bet would I get on board.


12 posted on 03/29/2011 10:36:17 AM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Have you terrorized a terrorist today?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: smokingfrog

Is it coin operated?


13 posted on 03/29/2011 10:38:50 AM PDT by kidd
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Hodar
A friend & I were working on an electric plane 20 years ago, except it was to be powered with kerosene fuel cells developed by the Russians(Boeing was thinking of using them as aux power on their commercial jets.

We were going to use a ceramic electric motor of 300 HP powered by 6 of the fuel cells( about 1.5 cubic feet each. It took about 15 minutes to fire up one, then fire up the rest so a minimum of 1/2 hour before flight. Efficency was about 52 to 60%. Total weight of system was the same as a IO 550 with he same HP.

So with equal fuel loads range was doubled, and no altitude penalty.

One killer problem - The fuel cells cost about $60,000 each and the capillary system in the internal ceramic would plug with the contaminants in the kerosene fairly quickly.

I think GM produced a few fuel cell powered cars in the 70’s - Oh well - maybe fusion will work someday.

14 posted on 03/29/2011 10:38:50 AM PDT by stubernx98 (cranky, but reasonable)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: bbernard

Was wondering the same exact thing. Lots of surface area for cells.


15 posted on 03/29/2011 10:39:52 AM PDT by AFreeBird
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Hodar

You wouldn’t need $650 dollar Bose headsets.


16 posted on 03/29/2011 10:40:24 AM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: bbernard

Looking at the size of the craft, you may be able to make 300 watts in full sun.

I don’t know how big the batteries are or the power usage but during a 3 hour flight, solar cells would only add another kilowatt hour under optimum conditions.

I suppose if you ran out of juice out in the desert, you could recharge the batteries after a few days and fly out.


17 posted on 03/29/2011 10:40:40 AM PDT by dangerdoc (see post #6)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: smokingfrog

18 posted on 03/29/2011 10:42:34 AM PDT by AFreeBird
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: USNBandit

So that 2 hours flying time with ample landing reserved at 85 knots effective range 150 miles ...maybe 180 with tailwind..
Think glider!


19 posted on 03/29/2011 10:42:47 AM PDT by databoss
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: bbernard

It includes a hangar with solar panels. I have a friend that factory built a Glassair Sportsman and by the time he got done getting avionics he was over $200k. It’s a really nice airplane, though.


20 posted on 03/29/2011 10:43:27 AM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-46 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson