Electric sports plane the highlight of the e-flight initiative
from Aero Gizmo (478 articles)
E-Flight Electric-Powered Waiex Prototype
Image Gallery ( 7 images )July 30, 2007 With rising oil prices threatening to put sports aviation out of reach of the average enthusiast, innovators are looking at how the sport might be preserved for the next generation. Sonex and Aeroconversions are two such innovators and in partnership the two companies unveiled their three-prong e-Flight strategy at the recent AirVenture OshKosh trade show. An ethanol conversion of Aeroconversions’ AeroVee powerplant and efficiency enhancements for the engine took a back seat to the prototype electric Waiex aircraft introduced to an appreciative crowd. With battery technologies advancing by the day - gaining power, reliability, endurance and efficiency while constantly shedding size and weight - the partners believe the time is ripe to adapt the brushless
The rapid development of electric engines and high-output, quick-charging, longer-lasting battery packs is reaching a tipping point on several fronts. Every week we hear news of another battery-powered motorcycle going to prototype or production – and it’s the sports end of the market that’s making the biggest headlines. Now it seems it’s the turn of the aviation market to start investigating the economy, safety and environmental benefits of the electric engine. At a press conference held on Tuesday on AeroShell Square at Sonex Aircraft, LLC and In 2006 Sonex’s research and development team began work on what is now called the “E-Flight Initiative,” a push to explore viable alternative energies for powering sports aircraft and improve the efficiency and performance of current products and technologies to keep aviation affordable for the average pilot, and to keep recreational aviation available to future generations of pilots. The E-Flight Initiative has three major areas of focus, taking a diverse approach to the problems of rising energy costs and an ailing environment to provide near, intermediate and long-term green powerplant solutions: Electric Power: Development of a proof-of-concept electric motor powerplant, controller, battery pack and charging system with the goal of determining the feasibility of a marketable line of Sonex and AeroConversions products. This project represents the most significant portion of E-Flight, in terms of investment, risks, challenges, and possible gains. Ethanol Fuel: Investigation of converting the AeroConversions AeroVee 2.0 powerplant for use of ethanol-based fuels in order to accommodate ethanol-blend auto fuel and/or pure ethanol, both to increase performance and efficiency and to ensure that Sonex and AeroConversions products are prepared for the possible discontinuation of 100LL or similar aviation fuels.
