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?
I never got an answer to this. If the worst happens does a passenger get frequent flier miles to their destination or only to the crash site?
To get an electric flight ticket, can you pay cash or do you have to charge?
It better have a very good glide ratio.
I suspect there will be a lot of resistance to this.
Not much of a near term ping actually. Remember a few years ago when the Army converted a Humvee to electric. Called it the SHADOW. They put the motors in the hubs and stuffed all the doors and body panels with 10,000 camera batteries. It was only good for 20 miles and I think it got hit by lightning.
You just know these geniuses are going to use the air frame to store batteries and there’s no way I’m going to fly an airborne lightning rod.
Not only that but the electric company sells it to you at retail and buys it back wholesale.
Or a nice multi person casket.
Unfortunately, according to the CDC parachutes are only anecdotally effective due to lack of statistically significant double blind testing. Who cares if it looks like it saves lives.
In an emergency I envision all the passengers going as fast as they can using hand generators like those on racing catamarans.
“And when it comes tome to remove them”
Ask a previous neighbor of mine after we had a bad hailstorm.
I got a new roof. It looked like he needed a roof and new panels.
Unless they have some sort of swappable battery pack for each flight, there is no way that an electric aircraft will be able to make any sort of economic sense.
And even less so if the aircraft is going to use hydrogen fuel cells.
Everyone will have a bike pedals in front of them to help keep it aloft.
Nothing better than a lithium battery fire at 30K feet.
65 minutes and you dead meat.
No passengers, just batteries. ;-D
one small question: In the annals of aviation, there has been the necessary in air restart of an engine. true, this is ann ‘electrical engine’, however, is there an instance of a correctable inflight restart of an electric aircraft engine?
RE:
Anywhere you want to go.
As long it’s no more than an hour away.
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Like Toledo to a farmer’s wheat field outside Bowling Green?
Almost made it before the lights went out, the engines coughed and sputtered and the pilot made a crash landing in the dark.
Then as Martha and the Vandellas sang “Hitchhike.”
I know, also Rolling Stones and Marvin Gaye.
Golly...
Do we dare?
RE: ‘Wright Spirit, this is the tower. There has been an accident and the runway is closed. It might be an hour or more before we can clear you for landing’....
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LOL (only because we’re on the ground posting about it).
In the Out of Towners with Jack Lemmon the passenger said to him: “This is the stacking hour. Anyone flying to New York doesn’t really land right away, you circle around and see if you’re cleared. Sometimes it takes an hour or more.” The pilot later gave up and headed for Boston to land.
“Envisioning” is one thing…delivering is another.
Gilligan’s Island photo....
Don’t know about you but I feel a sequel series coming on.
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