Electric Powered Flight In The French Alps
Jan 5th, 2008 by Kelvin
On Sunday December 23rd at 11:50 am the first flight of the Electra F-WMDJ took place. The light aircraft is equipped with electrical engine of 25cv and Lithium polymere batteries.
The pilot - test engineer Christian Vandamme - realized this historical test from the Aspres sur Buech airfield (Hautes Alpes).
This 48 minutes flight over more than 50 kilometers realized in closed circuit is the world premiere flight of this type.
This exceptional technological progress in the leisure aviation sector proposes an alternative solution without precedent to the current thermic engines for aircrafts requiring a 15 to 50ch power. This flight uses the electrical engine for light aircrafts respecting the environmental context and the control of energy costs.
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photos : Jean-Bernard Gache |
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The French engineers team who is behind this project use the experience and skills of the ACV Aero Service firm, ELECTRAVIA creation firm, and the APAME (association for the promotion of Electrical engine aircrafts). These innovative works led by Anne Lavrand, ELECTRA project chief, are supported by PEGASE and CAPENERGIES competitivity poles and gained from ONERA researches in the domain of silent propellers.
And now ? There is a lot of work to be made before seeing of numerous ultralights and small planes flying with an electric engine ! But this flight shows that it’s possible.
Some technical datas :
Aircraft “ELECTRA” registreted F-WMDJ :
- Single-seater
- Homebuilt construction, in wood and fabrics
- Wing span : 9 m
- Length : 7 m
- Weight of the aircraft without batteries: 134 kg
- Maximal weight for take off : 265 kg
- Cruise speed : 90 km/h
Electrical engine :
- Disk brush electrical motor of 18 kW
- Lithium - Polymer Batteries (total weight of batteries : 47 kg - quick charge : 45 minutes)
- Special ground-adjustable propeller ARPLAST
