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Inside The First Production-Ready Electric Airplane
This spring, Volta Volare will begin testing its four-passenger GT4. Constructed around a standard airframe, the plane runs on a hybrid powertrain similar to the one in the Chevrolet Volt, with batteries plus a backup gasoline engine. An electric plane could be significantly less expensive to operate than a conventional aircraft. A 200-mile electric-powered flight in a single-engine personal plane would consume about $20 of electricity, compared with about $80 worth of aviation-grade gasoline,… (www.popsci.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Since when do you take apart a power train, engine and other parts like gear box or prop on a normal annual? I never did unless there were problems, sounds a little like a snake oil deal to me trying to generate operating money. Too much fluff and not enought true facts probalby all on paper and nothing tested.And while its true that running out of batteries in an electric airplane would "all but assure" a forced landing, I can't help but point out that running out of gas in a piston airplane probably has roughly the same results.
Remonds me of an administration occupying the White house at the moment. Runs on a long cord and just goes in cirles spreading poop eveywhere.
Ill keep my 100ll, God Bless America
Ill keep my 100ll, God Bless America
Since we generate nearly 40% of the electricity in the USA with coal, we have finally designed a coal fueled aircraft. Likewise with all the greenies that are driving around in the Chevy Volt. We could, of course power them with Natural Gas or Nuclear, but the EPA is busy shutting down that industry. Coal plants are next. Guess we better start working on the mice and rubber band technology.
Seems to me if the greenies succeed in curtailing coal and natural gas, fueling an airplane is going to be the least of our problems. EPA is already shutting down coal plants in the mid west.
At 500K the pay back covers a feet of 172s, 150s, 180s and the avgas they burn. Similar problems with the Chev. Volt at 40K. The fire, electrocution, chemical, etc. hazards are never mentioned in any of these green articles and are significant in my estimation. Neither are the battery replacement costs. Batteries are only good for a limited number of cycles (charges). Your cordless telephone is a good example. The replacement batteries are often over 50% of the cost of a new telephone or three. Battery disposal is another significant cost never mentioned. Some batteries, I'm told, can't be legally disposed of in the United States. What do we do with them? We haven't figured out what to do with CFL light bulbs yet. I guarantee you in the long run it will cost us to place them in a licensed facility. I have a training bulletin from a State fire department and their HAZMET folks that will open your eyes to congressional engineering. I'd be happy to post it if you'll tell me how. For now, don't allow your children to change out a CFL.
I rid the pessimistic skeptic when in me when it came to technology and the future years ago...That said, before this concept makes me backslide...someone get us some clarity on the numbers.1) 900lb on the battery? what its useful load? 2) 400 peak and 300 continuous HP is that at the shaft even? I'm all for it...if its reality based now and is actually airborne somewhere while i type...great...but computer generated imagery,concepts, numbers, mock-ups and test stands don't bode well..can't wait to even see how the FAA's gonna wanna regulate its safety...forget the minimums when they get involved, how ya gonna pay for there paper work on the subject.