Electric Aircraft Earthstar E-Gull Flight Demonstration 2014

[@garudavideoproductions4140]

I'm wondering if flexible solar panels could be integrated in top of wing surface without disturbing airflow enough to disrupt pressure lift. Regarding Dan Frederiksen's remark about multi motors/props on leading edge of wings --- NASA and private companies are building experimental urban personal commuter aircraft with this leading-edge props design that increases the effective lift by pushing increased artificial air across wing. Thus there is a combined benefit by having both prop thrust features and increased lift efficiency from front-mounted motors/props on leading edge of wings. Also as Dan alluded to, recently Tesla has developed a new very high-density battery for increased range. (I also have my private ticket -- single, fixed wing).

[@ismailkalkan2383]

hello, what propeller are you using, thank you, greetings

[@francisosorio7995]

Have you considered putting your electric motor on to a gyro plane?

[@doganerdoganer6460]

how much horse power this engine

[@19sloper]

Nice informative video. One suggestion: I'd really like it if you turned off the horrid music and let us hear the airplane. Otherwise nicely done. Thanks for posting.

[@forschungsbuero]

Thank you. During flight you can only hear wind noise. Even the worst music is better than that.

[@19sloper]

@@forschungsbuero Wow, no prop noise?

[@karljensen8481]

As a pilot having flown for 52+ years, this is absolutely wonderful. The E-Gull is on my wish list - wow!

[@mikedunn7795]

Great video,but lose that damn loud music! I want to listen to quiet if the plane is electric!

[@GeorgeStar]

Well, here we are 7 years later and this has come to nothing. Pity.

[@mara25e]

How long is the runtime ?

[@Retro-Future-Land]

40 minutes

[@scoutdandan]

+Watch Ryder 40 minutes --- What's the maximum distance it may travel?

[@Retro-Future-Land]

Lee Charles Off the top of my head I don't know as he doesn't mention the top speed. I reckon about 40 miles maybe?

[@dangerous_ngga]

+Watch Ryder OK tell me please what is the motor ?)).. Is it handmade ? Or doing by yourself ?)

[@Migueldeservantes]

Wondering where are they located!??

[@dearmhamed6634]

Please can tell me how this motor work

[@kinogenes]

Thomas, when we are going to see the volocopter fly with pilots test? thanks

[@zuluzulu1999]

So simple and elegant!

[@claytonpozzer]

Congratulations! Whats the max. altitude?

[@DanFrederiksen]

Very nice, I'm a big believer in lean efficiency. Why not use a reclined seating position in a glider style body so it has a minimal aero profile. Simple straight wing, maybe a bit smaller for higher cruise velocity and lower cost. I'm sure the motor is good but that's a very high price. It might be interesting to try a row of relatively inexpensive large RC motors. They could be mounted on the front edge of the wing and simplify the plane layout. You could increase safety by going to A123 lifepo cells or increase density by using the Tesla laptop cells from Panasonic. 2900mAh 5C ~230Wh/kg. 1000$ per kWh is also fairly expensive. Brand name laptop cells like LGchem can be gotten as low as 180$/kWh in moderate volume from resellers although that is not the highest density nor high discharge. But if you instead buy twice as many you get double the range. The batteries could be placed 2/3 out in the wing. The wing structure could contain all the propulsion. More or less a person strapped to a flying wing :) The wheels could also be leaner and or have aero covering. Perfecting weight and aero can make it near magical. Both construction price and operating cost. A turbine style prop could perhaps be stamped out of a metal sheet to remove the throbbing sound.

[@fotofigures]

Battery management technology has still a long way to go before these can compete with gasoline. If he can increase flying time to 2 hrs that woud be a breakthrough. Although running costs of $1 an hour is very attractive.

[@insAneTunA]

+Peter Rose in fact Stanford University developed a battery made from carbon nano tubes, ink and paper. They announced that back in 2009 and they claim that their battery can compete with oil. They say it is more efficient and more durable and can handle much more cycles and current loads, as well while charging and discharging. The only catch is that back then they didn't know how to mass produce the carbon nano tubes efficiently. I don't know if they have figured that out yet. But if you search for carbon nano tubes + Ink + Paper Stanford university you will find the video from Stanford University with the scientist showing their invention and explaining how it works. Or you simply browse through my uploaded videos on my KZbin channel. Make sure you look at my personal uploaded videos.

[@sirglider]

What is thte status of the project?

[@DirkHav]

Much words . . . about how silent it is to fly electric. And then it comes . . . take off and . . . kl**** music. So we will never know how quiet it is to fly electric. But thumb UP ! Please everyone on KZbin : stop that music unless it's about music.

[@mikedunn7795]

+DirkDucat Yes,one of my pet peeves! The videos I have seen w/out music sound surprisingly loud from prop noise,though.

[@faustoseletti9805]

What a great project, congrats. very exiting to have people around the world designing electric motors for the next generation!! where did you get the controller? Best regards

[@IMHSC9]

Super Cool affordable too! Thank you for sharing.

[@TheNetsten]

that looks so much fun, i wish i could have one here in uk

[@KevinMillard68]

cool stuff man

[@JoUnrau]

Wonderful invention. Wish I could have one.

[@terrancel1786]

very cool music!!!

[@AdamShaiken]

I am guessing that nobody ever taught you to tap the brakes momentarily just after takeoff in order to stop the gyroscopic action of the mains !, and you took off down wind(yes, it was, down hill)according to the windsock on the quonset hut.