First electric powered UK light plane

[red750]

https://youtu.be/v-cWOKnRmjI

[Marty_d]

I was wondering why he kept the prop spinning at the pre takeoff checks.  It's not like he has to wait for the oil temp to rise or check the magneto drop.

[facthunter]

Does a short flight like that prove anything much?  Electric power would suit a very efficient airframe better.  Nev

[FlyBoy1960]

The electric Pipistrel aircraft have been there for 3 to 5 years from memory. 

 

There was also an electric trike with lead acid batteries about 25 years ago so it's hardly the first electric plane in the UK ?

 

Also an electric Cri-Cri from memory about 10 years ago.

[kasper]

Ummm ...

 

The claims of first would be from a manufacturer ... and I know some of the people involved and salesmen is a fair description of them.  First electric SSDR maybe but first in UK it certainly is not... and this will not be for sale anyway as it was a tech demonstrator done with UK grant money.

 

Plus, has anyone heard of the all-electric aircraft built by Rolls-Royce that flew last year and has broken two world speed records?

In November 2021, The Spirit of Innovation hit an average of 555.9 km/h (345.4 mph) over 3 km, and 532.1km/h (330 mph) over 15 km.  Both flown out of Boscombe Downs which is in the UK.

 

 

[onetrack]

The specs for the RR Spirit of Innovation are hard to come by - but the specs bandied around are totally wrong. Articles that are wrong that are obviously copied off other wrong articles, state that the 3 RRSoI batteries weigh 450kg each - yet the articles also state the MTOW is 1200kg? 

Regardless, despite the RRSoI having the initial claim to fame in the electric air power stakes, nothing in any of the above shows adequate battery density, payload capacity, or range that even reaches a commercial level.

 

It will take many more years, or a major battery innovation breakthrough, before the electric-powered aircraft reaches commercial viability with a satisfactory range and payload. All of the above are merely test beds and prototypes.

The RRSoI is reported as having a 320km range - but says nothing about payload at that range. It appears pretty obvious the payload is practically zero, apart from the pilot.

 

Pipistrel are really the only manufacturer with a (short range, minimal payload) electric aircraft, but even their product has major limitations, and short-distance training use is about its only real application.

 

https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-battery-innovations-behind-rolls-royces-ultrafast-electric-airplane

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_ACCEL#cite_note-8

 

https://www.rolls-royce.com/~/media/Files/R/Rolls-Royce/documents/innovation/spirit-of-innovation-factsheet.pdf

 

A Perth-based engineer promised to provide a Perth-to-Rottnest Island Air Taxi service, utilising an electric aircraft in 2019. We're still waiting - and waiting - for that electric air taxi service from him.

 

https://particle.scitech.org.au/tech/aussie-first-electric-plane-takes-to-wa-skies/

 

Another local "start-up", is "hoping" to bring us air taxis in 2026. I won't be holding my breath on this one, either.

Aviation is littered with unfulfilled promises and dreams that never materialise, but which are usually good at soaking up investors money. I note that even the RRSoI was funded with a large grant from the British Govt.

 

https://australianaviation.com.au/2022/01/perth-based-start-up-to-bring-electric-air-taxis-to-wa-in-2026/

 

Edited May 9, 2022 by onetrack

[FlyBoy1960]

I have close-up photos of this engine, i will see if i can find them.  Taken about 4 years ago before the record flights.

[pmccarthy]

RSol is an unfortunate name.

[onetrack]

Peter, it's actually an "I" in the abbreviation, not a small "L". I guess that's why RR were careful to avoid utilising a name such as Spirit of Lektrickery. 

[Marty_d]

6 hours ago, pmccarthy said:

RSol is an unfortunate name.

Hale & Pace did a good song about a Real Estate company - R. Sole & Sons.

[FlyBoy1960]

now I get it.   I was trying to work out what it stood for I have only just worked out what LMFAO meant

[red750]

Maybe I should have titled the thread "First electric powered UK recreational aircraft prototype".