Posted on 12/28/2021 12:47:37 PM PST by Red Badger
Wright Electric, an electric aircraft start-up founded in 2016, announced a new project - the Wright Spirit, which joins the previously announced Wright 1 flagship.
The Wright Spirit is a 100-passenger electric airliner envisioned for one-hour flights, equipped with four, "megawatt-class" motors. The initial design is based on the BAe 146 platform:
"The Wright Spirit aircraft design builds on the BAe 146 platform - a 100 passenger, 4-engine aircraft known for its operation out of noise-sensitive airports."
According to the press release, the prototype will begin flight testing with one electric motor (and, as we understand, three conventional engines), two electric motors in 2024 and as a full-electric aircraft by 2026.
"To develop the integrated propulsion system, Wright has assembled an innovative team of companies with expertise in generation, energy storage and propulsion design. The program now proceeds with on-going ground testing and final selection of the propulsion system. In 2023, the aircraft will begin flight testing with one all-electric propulsor. The development program will then accelerate towards flight testing with two all-electric propulsors by 2024 leading to the full-electric aircraft by 2026. "
Fo reference, the 186-seat Wright 1 is expected to have 10 electric motors (2 MW each) for a total peak output of 20 MW. But it's launch is expected no earlier than in 2030.
The power output is very high. According to Wright Electric, even a small 50-seat ATR-42 would require two 2 MW electric motors.
The company explains that it is in the process of development of 2 MW electric motors (scalable from 500 kW to 4 MW) and inverters with ultra-high efficiency and power density.
"The path was set in early 2020 with Wright’s announcement and development of their megawatt propulsion system for an all-electric commercial aircraft. Throughout the last two years, the company has been proving key components of the system including a high-efficiency, high-power density inverter and a 2 MW (2,700 HP) motor. The existing hydrocarbon-based propulsion system will be replaced with Wright’s all-electric, emissions-free propulsion system."
However, Wright Electric's press release remains silent about the energy source. Such a big aircraft would require an adequately big battery pack. The question is whether the energy density allows to build it with today's technology, and then, whether it will be viable?
Gonna need one helluva power cord................
AND THEY DON'T LAST VERY LONG. And when it comes tome to remove them, they are classified as 'HAZARDOUS WASTE' because of the stuff they are made of, so you can't just throw them in the landfills. Yeah, GREEN ENERGY!!!!...................................................
Seems plausible.....................
What about time queued on tarmac waiting to fly, or circling to land? Guess these might be good for taking people up, circling the airport, and landing again.
Good luck when circling before you land...
100 seats all connected to a bicycle like device to supply the juice
And the battery packs for the power weigh what????
They forgot to add in the story that all passengers need to be certified parachute jumpers and wear their gear.
Folks this is your Captain. We will be landing in moments at our first stop. The bus will take you to your overnight lodging and our flight will continue in the morning after the batteries have recharged overnight.
By the way, inside tip, Hertz has rental cars that will get you to your final destination before dinner time. They use gasoline.
Well, they could put lightning rods fore and aft on the exterior of the fuselage.
“Yeah, GREEN ENERGY!!!!”
It’s ridiculous. My youngest son was going on and on about how great solar is for energy. You can sell excess production back to the utility, (as if that would happen here in Ohio).
It was Christmas, I didn’t want to pee on his fantasy.
The young have been indoctrinated. Put the right words together, and they’ll buy it. They will eat that poop sandwich and smile like it’s prime rib.
I am so glad I don’t have that long to go.
First flight is gonna go nonstop to the crash site.
“What about parachutes for safety?”
It won’t be the 101st Airborne they’re flying.
A pilot in that thing will NOT want to hear, “777, please hold your pattern for the next hour, weather does not permit approach and landing.”
“This is your pilot spanking. I’m sure you’ll get a charge out of this but our aircraft wont. We’re now in a holding pattern meaning stand up, bend over, and kiss you ass goodbye.”
That was a Three-Hour Tour.....A Three-Hour Tour.
one hundred people with an hour to live? I expect they’d be required to get the clot shot before they boarded? I’ll bet the first pilot’s name is Reddy Kilowatt?
I’m rated to fly anything with one engine or no engine. I guess I could take over when the watts run out? Pilot to Passengers: please turn off your electronic devices-—you won’t be needing them-——and you can pick up your luggage at the local landfill.
Yes you can. In the early days of alternate energy you could if you produced more than you needed. Companies got wise to that and made it where you can, but the equipment a person has to buy to tap in end the hoops a producer has to jump through is not worth it.
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