Posted on 06/04/2020 9:43:01 AM PDT by Red Badger
May 29 (UPI) -- The world's largest all-electric aircraft took off from a Washington state airstrip for its first flight, staying in the air for 28 minutes, the plane's makers said.
The eCaravan plane, a modified Cessna Caravan 208B, was created by a collaboration between engine company magniX and aerospace firm AeroTEC. It took its first flight Thursday in an event that was livestreamed on Facebook.
The companies said the electric plane is more environmentally friendly and costs less to operate than its fossil fuel-powered counterparts.
"As the world's largest all-electric aircraft, this first flight is a significant milestone in disrupting the transportation industry and accelerating the electric aviation revolution," magniX said in announcing the flight, which took off from an airstrip in Moses Lake.
A smaller plane with a magniX electric engine took its first 15-minute flight in December 2019.
MORE INFO HERE:
You apparently can’t invest in these companies.
I wouldn’t anyways.....................
They claim a 100 mile range. I wonder if that includes a reserve.
“They claim a 100 mile range. I wonder if that includes a reserve.”
Yes. Discussed last week.
There have already been successful flights of seaplanes for routes between Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
“modifications involved filling up the cabin with two tons of lithium-ion batteries and cooling equipment, leaving little room for passengers, the paper reported. The relatively limited flight time and range (100 miles) “
TWO TONS OF BATTERIES AND COOLING EQUIPMENT
You could probably drive 200 miles round trip faster then the plane could fly, recharge, and fly back.
I think the reserve requirement that regular planes are required to maintain would result in a 0-mile range for the battery plane.
“There have already been successful flights of seaplanes for routes between Vancouver and Vancouver Island.”
Powered. by same MagniX engine.
Would it be safer to have a hybrid plane?
There are hybrid cars, that can run of electricity, but have the reserve of gas fuel if needed. I know less than zero about planes. I am just asking the question.
“I think the reserve requirement that regular planes are required to maintain would result in a 0-mile range for the battery plane.”
Wrong. Range includes reserve.
100 mile range. How long does it take to charge?
“TWO TONS OF BATTERIES AND COOLING EQUIPMENT”
Actually, the batteries weigh the same as the weight of the jet fuel no longer required.
Anywhere you and a couple of friends want to go in 28 minutes as long as you are in no hurry to get back.
Woohoo.
Well, why didn’t the author of this article include that useful piece of information? Wasn’t he part of your discussion last week?
That’s nice. They left windows in it so that the batteries can see out.
Electric turbines are next. I don’t know if current battery technology can power turbines the size of the GE90.
Right!
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