What's New in Electric Airplanes?

At Aero in Friedrichshafen, Germany in April, one full exhibition hall was loaded with electric airplanes and related technology. In this week's AVweb video, Paul Bertorelli takes a look at some of the new stuff on display.

[@Chinook550]

I kept going to the “Do Not Touch” sign on the parallel hybrid Rotax Twin every time Paul touched the motor or engine.

[@AcesHighMedia]

Same lol!!

[@oppotato5440]

Same

[@Patchuchan]

Want something to get touched put a do not touch sign by it.

[@rcbif101]

The sign is one the firewall, so he's good. Didn't touch the firewall :P

[@aryantruth1807]

When has sales ever obeyed the rules? Wanna buy an airplane buddy?

[@suntzuwu]

The problem was never the motors. The problem is ALWAYS the batteries.

[@米空軍パイロット]

Yes, but until that is fully fixed, improvements to thermal/propulsive efficiency, weight, and aerodynamics are always welcome.

[@米空軍パイロット]

@danko jones No... No they cannot. Let me spell it out to you, since you are scientifically illiterate. First, there is no such thing as a graphene battery. They're called Graphene Supercapacitors. Batteries use chemical reactions. Capacitors just hold charge using surface area. Second, they hold less charge than batteries. What they are good at, though, is not degrading every time you recharge them. You misread whatever article you read or you chose to read articles written by idiots. Their charge doesn't last forever. Their capacity just doesn't decrease. There's a huge difference.

[@drew8256]

Yes, all the parts are in place so when someone invents a lightweight, high capacity battery, electric planes will take over. Quick charging, like the 20 minute Tesla supercharger, must also be in place. With current batteries it’s just vapor ware.

[@duradim1]

@@米空軍パイロット Maybe danko jones means they hold their charge for ever until discharged?

[@TravelStyleNews]

@@米空軍パイロット I use to use a rubber band, never had a problem! ;-)

[@antonnym214]

GREAT Video! love it. One thing: Haven't you heard that an improved battery is ALWAYS three to five years away? It's called the breakthrough horizon. All good wishes!

[@BustedWalletGarage]

I heard you can recharge an electric airplane in flight by getting struck by lightning.

[@mikercflyer7383]

Refuel like an air tanker operation only it would be an electric boom.

[@Ichibuns]

That would be cool of we had anything that could collect a charge that fast lol. We can dream

[@rudavalek]

On serious note if we could even use an electric potential difference from clouds as these lightnings do...

[@dalgrim]

1.21 gigawatts!

[@daszieher]

@@dalgrim exactly what I was thinking!

[@celestialdream49]

Love the scene with the "DO NOT TOUCH Thank you" sign... and how many times your hands were all over the motor and clutch. LOL I get it... you had permission (Still funny)

[@justanotherdudeinreality]

I was looking for this comment as soon as I saw Do Not Touch)

[@glibsonoran]

Batteries are rightly cited as the limiting factor in development of electric aircraft. But electric motors themselves have several benefits that make them ideal for aviation: = Electric motors aren't dependent on oxygen density and make the same power at 100,000 feet that they do at sea level, without requring heavy complex compressors. = Electric motors are one of the most reliable forms of propulsion exceeding the reliability of gas turbines. They are simple with basically two moving parts. = Electric motor's weight and volume to power ratio are extremely high, this allows for more aerodyamic designs with smaller cowl frontal area and more effective weight/balance for loading the passenger compartment. They are so small and light for their power, they can be stacked in series to increase power and if one of the motors in series were to quit (a highly unlikely event) the other could take over and provide level maintaining or minimal climb power. This would render concerns about failure of the motors themselves completely moot. = Electric motors, because of their simplicity are incredibly durable. Electric traction motors in vehicles routinely go more than 1 Million miles before overhaul/replacement. Electric motors in aircraft would probably extend TBO times by about 5 - 10x. At that point the Time Between Overhaul essentially becomes equal to the useful life of the airframe. Their routine maintenance needs are minimal to non-existent depending on design. = Electric motors are extremely quiet and they make less vibration than reciprocating engines or gas turbines. This makes the use of aircraft in populated areas much less problematic (less noise); Greatly reduces pilot fatigue (less noise and vibration); Increases the lifespan of all the other components of the aircraft (less vibration). = Electric motors are extremely efficient, on the order of 90% - 98% compared to roughly 30% efficiency for reciprocating gasoline engines and even less for gas turbines. They also produce less waste heat than fuel powered engines.

[@christopherwilson6527]

glibsonoran gas turbines are actually very efficient

[@glibsonoran]

@@christopherwilson6527 General aviation gasoline piston engines generate more power per gram of fuel consumed (Power Specific Fuel Consumption) than general aviation gas turbine engines: (Reciprocating gasoline: 280g of fuel/KWh; Aviation diesel: 220g of fuel/KWh; Turboprop: 310g of fuel/KWh) This is especially true for the small turbine engines - like the Pratt & Whitney PT6 - used in general aviation, which I was referring to. Aviation turbines do become much more efficient as they get bigger as in the huge turbofans of large commercial jets. Large, heavy non-aviation gas turbines, especially combined cycle turbines, do even better. But even the most efficient non-Aviation combined cycle gas turbine gets about 60% efficiency, nowhere near that of a electric motor.

[@linusa2996]

The electric motor isn't dependent on oxygen density true, but your propeller and the wings are dependent on air density. So your electric motor can operate at 100,000ft but your propeller isn't going to be working very well or at all.

[@maeflower5108]

@Charlie K Care to elaborate?

[@MrDlt123]

Passenger compartment rigged with heaps of pedals. Passengers who pedal the most generate more electricity and receive reduced fare. You're welcome. 😂😄😄

[@q.e.d.9112]

Darrin Nunyah Did you ever see the programme where they rigged up a whole load of bicycle generators in a gym to run a house? It took 70 people pedalling hard to run an 8kW electric shower. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWqWlH-Vr6mJf68

[@MrDlt123]

@@q.e.d.9112 My comment was a joke. I realize that an airliner would require much more power than passengers could provide. - Not to mention that lots of them would give themselves a hear attack...

[@____________aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Meet the flinstones

[@aerotuc]

An important goal for the developer ,apart from the technicalities and practical improvement in batteries(of which are many),is of course "COST" not only initial outlay but reducing time cycles in the hybrid reciprocating engine MAINTENANCE which in my opinion is the only real option for electric powered " A/C.that means a redesign in airbreathing engines .

[@wholeNwon]

Great to glimpse the future.

[@travisminneapolis]

9:40 - it only burns 1.85gph at cruise? That's impressively low!

[@iuppiterzeus9663]

depends on the speed it achieves, I'd say

[@sttarch5150]

Can it work like a Prius where you recharge when you descent?

[@plinkbottle]

Wider distribution of the propulsion system a big plus, but other things a bit dodgy.

[@frankmayer139]

Generate electricity using steam turbines. The passengers can help shovel coal into the boilers for reduced fare.

[@jedslather]

It's good to see they are improving the technology, we will see more and more options, for now small quadcopters for short range travel is one of the possibilities, for long range not so much with the battery tech we got now.

[@44hawk28]

I don't mind the idea of an electric motor driving the propeller. As long as you put a generator on that thing and have it run by some sort of fuel, whether it be diesel or gas, I don't care. You can even have a smallish battery that will be your primary power source but if you're not charging that thing with something that will last longer that what they currently have, and the problems that we already have with automobiles that are electric. I think that depending on a battery while you're out in the middle of flying, you think it's bad when people run out of fuel, and they have to be the ones you put in the fuel and there's a fuel gauge. Batteries can quit functioning as soak an electric motors for no perceptible reason whatsoever.

[@_r-a-f_]

I'd love to see a 25kts crosswind landing with those wingtip props :D

[@米空軍パイロット]

Longer gear?

[@_r-a-f_]

Yeah, that would require some veryyyy long gear. It's interesting how they didn't include the landing gear in their display model...

[@Walterwaltraud]

Same technique as large airliners, I don't see them slippping that often, mate :-). (the rest is an insurance case, evidently).

[@DanielZajic]

Nice job, really good video for a layperson like me who is interested in eviation.

[@globe255]

Aviation.

[@g8Words]

What is going to prevent a fatal flat spin in the event of a wingtip motor failure at low altitude?

[@DanFrederiksen]

You can power down the opposing motor. And it could be automatic. In the 7 motor config it would barely be noticeable anyway.

[@q.e.d.9112]

Steve S Possibly a non-fatal flat spin?

[@billlediard7113]

Part of the puzzle, great work guys.

[@ETraylor3]

Paul, as always, stellar material and great presentation! The future is now - and you are right - the answer is somewhere in the middle. I'm just glad we are starting to see REAL efforts in design and production! Money is being invested and efforts are real! Advancement is imminent!

[@wallishaines7247]

Correct me if I am wrong but wouldn't the electric jet be more an electric ducted fan, what would the flying time be 15mins and 20 hours to charge.

[@bruceatkinson7078]

11:22, the R&D project is a great approach; develop the technology and see where it leads. While some of this is pie-in-the-sky (every pun intended), I’m amazed that an electric two seater/trainer can fly for 45 min to an hour. Won’t suffice for cross country flights, but that’s plenty for pattern work and take-offs/landings. I never thought we would even see an electric plane capable of that. Who knows what we’ll see next.

[@Nerb1]

Thats where I thought the plane at 8:10 was a great idea. Electric for takeoff and power climbs, and a 250cc motor to just keep cruising altitude/speed.

[@ryansmithza]

I’ve been waiting for this story/news since the 1990’s. It just kind of makes sense to me.

[@hoverbotfpv1425]

We had an electric float plane maiden last year in Canada, short but successful flight.

[@anim8ted923]

I appreciate Paul's no-nonsense presentation style.

[@bluedrangon69]

all we need now is new battery technology , 4x-6x more energy density , will be game changing

[@paintballthieupwns]

The big problem is 4x to 6x on a kwh/kg basis is next to impossible. At 10x from current tech you get the energy density of TNT. Realistically things might get 30% to maybe 2x better and the 2x is a massive maybe but that does make it viable for some applications :)

[@flexairz]

Not gonna happen. Batteries are at the top of what physics allows us to do.

[@amiramyss]

Take a look at Bye Aerospace's project, the Sun Flyer, it can fly 3-4 hours, depends on the model. I think you would be surprised.

[@markstevenson1646]

@@flexairz well not with that attitude its not

[@nicholasboscaino6262]

There is supposed to be a battery in development that can produce 3x potential per weight ratio. Might be size ratio but it's also much cheaper material as well.

[@Nicholas-f5]

Really awesome! What are some other good sources for electric aviation news? I thought Pilot magazine has a series on this too.

[@dalgrim]

Delta goes bankrupt when Lance Armstrong flies and they have to cut him a check for the power he generated! :D

[@frankbagby5505]

Have you considered putting solar panels in the wings for continuous battery charging? Not quite sure how much weight that would be by design. Thanks Frank Bagby

[@quidestnunc9238]

What has happened with the Siemens motor used in Hybrid (ICE powered batteries) configuration akin to a Prius?

[@caseymckeeborrego]

Fantastic!! I'm very excited about this tech becoming common.

[@worldclassish]

great stuff man awesome channel I'll have to look at more.

[@ferebeefamily]

Thank you for the video.

[@Enonymouse_]

The issue with stacking motors is the weight penalty will begin to exceed the benefit of more power plants. You still have to add passenger and battery weight into the equation. >.>

[@bartofilms]

Really cool. Especially interesting are the hybrids. If LiPO foil batteries could run in series safely, I think Diesel Hybrids could be very successful.

[@kirkm63]

I would like to see an Electric Stemme s12!

[@winomaster]

At 4:10 is a 7 motor plane. It's more expensive to build many small motors, rather than one or two larger motors. I have to wonder if the frame is rather weak, so they don't concentrate the forces.

[@deannichols3501]

Great video as always vary informative Thanks for update

[@dieselrotor]

Does it really seam like a good idea to place a spinning mass on the wing tips of an aircraft in an airport scenario ? And what happens when or if an motor fails or a speed controller overheats and causes a sever yaw situation ? And why do they all have to direct drive, why not consider gear boxes to convert power slowing a motor RPM yet increasing the rpm like a constant pitch prop ?

[@yelectric1893]

This is useful for certain aircraft, as all power systems are for all aircraft. Clearly, there are important factors that tailor electric aircraft, but they are practical. For example, a short range flight for a small airport would be a great electric aircraft. That market exists.

[@yelectric1893]

It has been done in RC before, it has been done with full scale aircraft before. Electric may be accompanying the future. It’s a big maybe design, as with many other things. Good luck, looks awesome!

[@Klaatu-ij9uz]

VERY nice presentation! Lots of engineering going into those rigs.

[@graythewolf6096]

I'd definitely fly one of these when they become mainstream. I'd actually expect somebody like Siemens to work on electric aviation. Bombardier is likely to do the same witch would open commercial electric aviation. Wish great success for everyone working on electric aviation. Now when are we gonna get a tesla plane haha!

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

The hybrids are hilarious, they just massively reduce the performance of the aircraft while massively increasing the cost. It's like no one did the calculations that are normally done before starting a project to determine if the idea is even viable!

[@buttholeChecker]

PistonAvatarGuy 100% truth.

[@yanDeriction]

Distributing power from 1 engine across multiple propellers increases performance. The propeller is one of the biggest bottlenecks of aircraft performance.

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

@@yanDeriction Even if that's true, that's not likely to make up for the inefficiency of the hybrid system itself.

[@Walterwaltraud]

@@PistonAvatarGuy Google X-57 DEP etc. Those guys at NASA need to urgently learn from you. Study a bit on aerodynamics and wing construction first, please.

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

@@Walterwaltraud The X-57 was supposed to fly 2 years ago, the project appears to have stalled. The Pipistrel Panthera Hybrid performs significantly worse than the version which is powered by the most archaic piston engine still currently in production. Equator Aircraft has a DEP system that is double the weight of a typical aircraft engine and is significantly less efficient. Did you think that I made that comment based on absolutely nothing?

[@SassePhoto]

Just after takeoff - This is your captain speaking, I hope you enjoyed your flight, get ready to land, battery empty

[@clavo3352]

Nothing like feeling someone is looking down their nose at you. Seems that a nearly no drag trailing solar sheet behind the wings would be able to add significant solar boosting to the plane batteries.

[@donaldsmith3048]

Can you put solar panels on the wings to give a little longer range? I know they will not give the amount of power to run the electric motor but if it will give enough charge to the batteries to offset some of the power needed it would add some more time in the air, maybe 25% more. I have no idea what the power needed to run the electric motor so not sure what 200- 400 watts of solar panels will give.

[@Luredreier]

One thing that could be interesting with this kind of stuff is having two counter rotating propellers if you want more thrust, comes at a cost of more noise though.... But doing that with electric engines is a lot simpler to do the with a mechanical one.

[@q.e.d.9112]

Luredreier With electric motors it’s probably simpler just to have multiple props or multiple EDF units. Counter rotating on the same shaft is not as efficient as twin props. One of the benefits of electric is the ability to put motors just about anywhere.

[@trevohlson9733]

Brushless motors with a 3 phase are awesome matched with lipo graphene batteries my rc pylon racer cracks 200ks on 14.8v 772 watts at 48 amps static with a 7" prop and it's only made from epp foam with carbon spars 👍

[@iflystuff1]

Can't wait for insurance to require Piston Time experience lol

[@SixPackDan]

FAA is slower than molasses don't expect any changes in your lifetime. The mechanics test STILL has biplane and sewing questions on it!

[@floatplanebox]

Dan Sertich yeah, but you are certified to work on aircraft such as biplanes and fabric covered airplanes, are you not?

[@keithlucas6260]

You have to demonstrate using the "Modified Seine Knot". Most ultralights still use fabric.

[@nicholasboscaino6262]

I personally believe the FAA is feeling the need to support GA. Advancement are most likely welcomed. Also, the experimental market is pushing trends too. Hell, there are some experimentals I'd buy over production. Look at the Raptor getting ready to fly it's prototype. What an exciting aircraft!

[@zacharyhenderson2902]

@@nicholasboscaino6262 Right!? New LSA and experimental planes now often has better performance and bigger ranges then most GA aircraft on the market

[@Mike-01234]

These would be great for motor gliders where they don't need the electric motor the entire flight.

[@datsdylan007]

that's cool but what about the battery because that's the important part

[@drmosfet]

What I'm interested in is cost of ownership? If there enough savings compensate for the limited range?

[@timsyoutubechannel9798]

Whether the trade-off is worth it depends on your use case but as far as I understand the savings for electric plans are similar to electric cars i.e. 90% reduction in fuel cost and 75% reduction in maintenance.

[@Patchuchan]

A fully electric plane would be good for training or hobby flying but that's about it as batteries don't have the energy density for long range flight. The parallel hybrid at 6:30 would be a good concept to bring into production and could increase safety.

[@Walterwaltraud]

There is Axter Aerospace of Spain who have it commercially available for years. (experimental only iirc). Bit of an oversight not to include them in the reporting.

[@manp1039]

what do you mean the numbers don't pencil out for hybrid electric 12:55 ? that guy said 8:11 the hybrid electric can hold 70 liters of fuel and uses 7 liters per hour in flight. If it can cruise at 100 miles per hour for 10 hours of flight time, that is about 1000 miles of flight distance, not including the electricity from battery of another 45 minutes to give it over 1075 miles of flight distance. Plus you would not be having to fill it with aircraft fuel. You could fill it with standard generator fuel? Someone please correct me where i am off on this.

[@hemanthsethuraman6665]

Has anyone noticed that at 3.47, the ASPECT RATIO is given in METERS in the specification!

[@MissMarinaCapri]

If the commercial airlines industry utilizes electric motors every seat could have a little bicycle pedal mechanism that could charge the batteries. Your airfare could be reduced by how much you charge the batteries in flight. Sounds like a good idea to me. 🤗

[@markuskoarmani1364]

you can have super efficient diesel engine charges the batteries.

[@joesterling4299]

@@markuskoarmani1364 Yeah, hybrids make the most sense to me. Have, say, two diesel generators for redundancy, which keep the batteries charged, or can get their output shunted straight to the electric motors if the batteries outright fail. Then you can place however many electric motors with props wherever they make the most sense on the airframe. Battery weight can be kept low, because long pure-electric flights are not the goal. If both engines fail, the plane still has enough stored juice to land safely at a nearby airport. For short flights, the generators might conceivably get shut off entirely after takeoff, allowing recharging on the ground through more efficient means. This in no way challenges jet airliners, clearly. Strictly a regional prop-driven solution. No is going to want to double or triple their long-distance flight times.

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

@@markuskoarmani1364 The engines in airliners produce hundreds of thousands of horsepower, you'd need a diesel engine that weighed many times more than the airliner to power them. - Edit: The Wärtsilä-Sulzer RTA96-C wouldn't even be able to power one engine on a 777, but it weighs as much as 6 fully loaded 777s.

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

@@joesterling4299 You do realize that we already have a way to power an aircraft with a piston engine which is operating at peak efficiency, right? It's called BOLTING THE PROP TO THE ENGINE.

[@erikdelamarter8625]

@@PistonAvatarGuy That engine bolted with a prop is rarely working at peak efficiency. Running it as a generator is actually much more efficient as you can run it at the perfect RPM for maximum output. Also putting a huge metal engine behind your prop is bad for airflow and reduces the efficiency of the propulsion. Electric motors which are much smaller can be mounted on canards and leave much more propwash to push the plane. For airliners we can also use APUs or small jet engines that again are tuned for best efficiency generating power for the main electric engines.

[@johncarr123]

AVweb can you provide links to all the aircraft you reviewed in this video?

[@Walterwaltraud]

John Car do you have Google?

[@jrhor1964]

Wouldnt a ducted fan electric engine with a variable output put out more thrust ?

[@edmoore3910]

install a wind generator out front to charge the batteries..lol.

[@jamesbizs]

Ed Moore you mean like regenerative braking?

[@Ty-mf3vz]

power management- I've GOT IT!! Now to patent the concept.

[@etackhelicopter]

headphone warning, outrageously loud guitar riff between whispering europeans...

[@tonynes3577]

Airplane advertising always includes some kind of obnoxious rock n' roll music.

[@xzysyndrome]

@@tonynes3577 Leaps and bounds better than obnoxious EDM

[@tewrgh]

It's not us that's whispering, it's you guys who can't stop shouting

[@abvmoose87]

Whats that orange copter thing in the background @8:09

[@Dr-Shlomo-Cohen]

What's the average flight hour to weight of air craft in kg ratio?

[@wilfredkuyonza2518]

Why don't you put the super capacitor and adding strong solar panels to the both wings so that the system can be recharged during the operation in the air?

[@Schuler1970]

Because the physics tells us the area for solar panels is waaayyy to small. Or it becomes very clumsy, just like Solar Impulse 2.

[@TREVORDAWSONTHD]

Interesting story. New technology always changes for the better way of life. We have the Hybrid cars and Hybrid airplanes next on the gendre.

[@TectonnyOrg]

I would cover the wings and part of the fuselage with solar panels, that would increase the flight capacity during the day

[@kenbellchambers4577]

I keep imagining the entire skin of the aircraft collecting both heat and photons. clear panels exist already, so there is potential for collecting from the entire surface of the plane. If solar collectors were integrated within the structural material it could prove to be worthwhile, yielding power for virtually no extra weight. Nano technology is already developed which massively increases the power to weight ratios of solar cells by increasing the collecting surface.

[@TectonnyOrg]

@@kenbellchambers4577 With regard to weight gain, I believe to use purely the solar cell phone and add in the firing material itself and covered with translucent material as being part of it. Unfortunately the greater weight still holds for batteries that still need better development and the engines have capacity and efficiency even better losses of around 10%, which is worth continuing to invest in this technology.

[@luketansell]

1:41 RIP headphone users

[@erkansamc2045]

How many hours can it fly?

[@jollygreen4662]

These hybrids looks front heavy. I wonder what's the center of balance on the manual. Remember those front and rear propeller planes? What if u have 1 gas engine in 1 side and a electric motor on the other side. Maybe that would balance out and offer a better system

[@runcycleskixc]

China, if you are listening, please copy these motors so I can install one on my commuter bicycle

[@imontime77]

I have heard that the electrics are really quite and very low vibration. But, I might end up missing all the smells and fluid messes.

[@Bugdriver49]

Why isn't a single player considering using thin film solar panels on the wings and fuselage?

[@biffroberts8133]

I know this focused mainly on engines but it's mainly new battery technology that's slowly closing the gap between the energy/weight ratio currently provided by combustible fuel.

[@krungangkor9693]

Great and interesting, welcome to discuss the details with Krung Angkor

[@evo-labs]

What about super capacitors? I've seen demos of super caps with high density close to existing battery technology, plus they are much lighter.

[@mrmichrom8553]

They tend to have extreme power density but low energy density - so no staying power. I'm not aware of any super capacitor tech with energy density close to modern batteries.

[@ShakaZoulou77]

And the engine only working for generator

[@AngelLestat2]

Mahepa: Hydrogen fuel cell are not hybrids unless you obtain half of your peak power from batteries. I hope do you use liquid hydrogen which it would increase the performance by a lot vs 700 bar compression.

[@josephgilliand4]

Electric motors will never replace IC engines in aircraft, but it may replace towplanes all together in the sport of soaring.

[@iichthus5760]

ALPI: DO NOT TOUCH Paul: eh, what? Laughed my head off!

[@RWBHere]

13:10 - Time will tell, of course, but you might be a few years late with that prediction. Orders are already starting to roll in.

[@bushtrash2286]

Oh cool a drone that you can actually get into, can you fly it remotely as well ?

[@amjardine]

Please consider using Graphene Capacitors for energy Storage instead of lead acid or Lithium ect batteries.You will have improvements all the way around,including much less weight.

[@thomasm5714]

Is there any electric aircraft yet available with a range of 300nm?

[@kedaruss]

you are talking aircraft range or UV light wavelength?

[@thomasm5714]

@@kedaruss I meant nm = nautical miles. It is potentially confusing that it shares the same abbreviation as nanometre, despite the approx 1852 x 10⁹ scale difference

[@kedaruss]

@@thomasm5714 Of course, I would never think about miles. Thank you!! edit: it 300 some kind of sweet spot range? Does it open way wider markets? Something like 200 miles in case of EVs I mean.

[@Oxron206]

They can recharge it during flight with solar panels

[@sbukosky]

Has anyone done a comparison of a Pipistrel versus a C-152 in cost of annual inspection, 25 and 50 hour inspections and overhaul costs/ battery degredation? If they would make quick replace batteries, then it would become feasible, IMO.

[@noapology88]

I just read that Siemens is planning to split off major chunks of it's holdings and operations to focus on alternative energy innovations.

[@r0cketplumber]

Parallel hybrid with a small, efficient ICE sized for slightly more than cruise power can have the best of both worlds- reduced ICE maintenance cost, good range fuel consumption with decent climb performance. Devil in the details, of course.

[@Frank71]

If you thought range anxiety was bad in a car...

[@wakeup6723]

That hybrid motor with the fail safe if the gasoline motor fails is brilliant.. gas motor goes out still got power to make it ok n the ground

[@domdittyful]

I'm optimistic that small to medium size hybrid/electric planes will be the future of regional travel but no one I talk to thinks it'll work because of government regulation.

[@ESHANABROOK]

Could the propeller during descents recoup some power back into the battery?

[@Walterwaltraud]

They do on the Alpha Electro, adds 15% of flight time in pattern work.

[@airops423]

Good video, but I wish you had spoken with George Bye about the eFlyer 2 and 4. It was briefly mentioned during the Siemens booth, but Bye Aerospace has a fully-functioning prototype of the eFlyer 2, and the eFlyer 4 will be a 4 seat day/night IFR certified aircraft comparable to the likes of a Cessna 182 or Cirrus SR-20. Operational costs are less then $20/hour, making it disruptively affordable. It will revolutionize and revitalize general aviation.

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

I'd be absolutely amazed if their airplanes can do what they're claiming they can do.

[@airops423]

@@PistonAvatarGuy Why do you say that?

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

@@airops423 Because they don't have access to magic batteries.

[@airops423]

@@PistonAvatarGuy They're not claiming they do.

[@PistonAvatarGuy]

@@airops423 The only way that their claims make sense is if they're using magic batteries.

[@nzsaltflatsracer8054]

This stuff is still pie in the sky at this stage with weight & range being the biggest hurdles but that's why it's called evolution.

[@ats-3693]

A flight school here in Perth Australia has just started commercially flying a Pipistrel Alpha Electro electric aircraft, at this stage they are just offering trial instructional flights to paying students but they plan to offer full private pilot training and certification in the near future.

[@Walterwaltraud]

@@ats-3693 If certified in June plus recognition in Australia, they'll have a headstart.

[@flexairz]

And Paul, that full hall of electric aircraft was there last year too. Battery development is not going anywhere soon, we have reached maximum performance of what physics allows us to do. Hybrid solutions seem to be a nice development, but power trains are becoming really complex really fast then.

[@emotodude]

Except your wrong. There is a proven path to 500Wh/kg batteries over the next 5 years or so. that is nearly double where we are today...

[@joereyes8835]

All negative talk about the batteries is to make people dislike electric and go for petroleum but the reality is electric! and that's is in the present and future doing great. My plane is electric and I love it.

[@MasterVertex]

I really don't like the idea of relying on the electric and combustion engine at the same time, when taking off in a parallel hybrid. Now you got two things of which just one needs to fail to get you in trouble at high density altitude, rather than just one thing.

[@3deeguy]

A short-hop electric plane taxi service could work now. It would require infrastructure. The train industry built a rail system. An air taxi service could build routes with a series of short-hop airports where batteries are swapped out. The question is how many passengers per plane would be needed to make routes profitable...

[@tin2001]

Solar panel carport style covered parking areas are going to become popular if these e-planes take off (pun partially intended).

[@oisiaa]

Electric makes sense for trainers. I think once flight schools start seeing the cost benefits they will be unstoppable. Cessna needs to get in the game or the bottom will fall out of the new 172 market.

[@beeboyes]

Gotta love the comment about most of these designs being "aspirational": pending a good power source. The difficulty is that all the recent battery innovations have been "discovered", not created or invented: they have not been predicted. That's the hard part. It's like Edison searching for a lightbulb filament: a slow and painful process. If someone can figure a way to design a great battery straight from theory, they will be immensely successful. Huge resources are being poured into this for years with so far only incremental success. What is needed is a 10X or 100X breakthrough. That would change the world. And it has to be practical and inexpensive. Making one or a handful in the lab for a gazillion dollars doesn't count (except for making breathless headlines). We've had efficient diesel/electric hybrids for 70 years: trains. But there weight is no object. Airplanes are a more challenging 'corner case' of electric or hybrid vehicles. The next couple of decades should be fascinating and maybe in the not too distant future we will all have an affordable, reliable way to fly... If you are curious, attend one of the electric aircraft conferences now happening every few months.

[@steeleandkierstenhogg4818]

How loud is it in the air? Decibal...

[@alexandrunistoroiu452]

I like that hybrid made by italians, what's the name of the company? It has website?

[@alexandrunistoroiu452]

"Paralel hybrid", it's a very good ideea in my opinion, and safer for flight

[@WlerickBigotOfficial]

8:09 Someone could tell me what is this orange girocopter on the left please ? Is it full electric ? Thanks