Electric Passenger Aircraft

[pmccarthy]

Air Canada announced Thursday that it had ordered 30 ES-30 electric aircraft from Heart Aerospace. The plane can fly up to 124 miles in all-electric mode or up to 500 miles with capacity limitations. The Swedish manufacturer has garnered firm orders from United Airlines and Mesa Airlines. Scheduled to enter service in 2028, the plane is set to seat 30 passengers in a two-by-one configuration and fly up to 124 miles, or 200 kilometers, when in all-electric mode. The range can extend to 249 miles when the battery is supplemented by generators and 497 miles when the capacity is limited to 25 people, according to Air Canada.

[Bruce Tuncks]

Gosh,  that is an impressive plane. I wonder if they are relying on better batteries by then.

[Thruster88]

I only had a brief look, impressive CGI😂

[Flightrite]

Scheduled flight only on calm days😂 At least this fairytale stuff is entertaining 😂🛩

[red750]

[Thruster88]

Another electric aircraft the Eviation Alice is set to make its first flight any day now...

https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-08-16/eviations-alice-electric-aircraft-still-track-first-test-flight-summer  Why they came up with such a bonkers initial configuration is intriguing.  

 

This aircraft is similar to a Beechcraft King Air 350 in MTOW and  passenger numbers (10). It has a 3700kg battery and similar engine/motor wieght as the turbine King Air. Carbon fiber is good, is it that good? We shall wait and see. 

[onetrack]

Why 2 pilots? I would've though the aircraft control and power management would be greatly simplified with electric power and increased automation.

[pmccarthy]

9 hours ago, onetrack said:

Why 2 pilots? I would've though the aircraft control and power management would be greatly simplified with electric power and increased automation.

One to run back with a fire extinguisher.

[onetrack]

Or to crank up the genset when the holding pattern got extended, because of congestion/crash/runway debris/you-name-it? There are still many obstacles to be overcome before electric aircraft become reality.

[pmccarthy]

[Thruster88]

Eviation Alice has flown, two circuits at about 150knots.

 

 

 

[danny_galaga]

I think it's really exciting stuff. Eviation are waiting for better batteries though. So the plane that flew is not a pre production prototype, but more of a proof of concept

Edited October 5, 2022 by danny_galaga

[Marty_d]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2023-05-03/catl-announces-battery-to-make-electric-aviation-possible/102289310

[planedriver]

It could well happen, Mercedes managed it with their new Model AA car.

 

So why not with aircraft? Don't forget your boarding pass and battery pack.

 

https://www.facebook.com/mbstarmotors/videos/200452841739689/

Edited May 3, 2023 by planedriver

[Area-51]

Really appreciated the way we can still carry around all that hydrogen in a tin can? 

[onetrack]

The British electric passenger aircraft manufacturer, Vertical Aerospace, has had a setback in their electric passenger aircraft plans, when their prototype VX4 eVTOLmodel crashed on Aug 9, 2023 at Cotswold airport in the U.K.

 

The crash occurred when the aircraft was at an altitude of approximately 20 feet and undergoing simulated engine failure testing. It was being operated remotely when the crash occurred, and no-one was on board, and there were no injuries, even on the ground.

 

Photos taken from a distance show a crashed VX4 with substantial airframe damage, especially the starboard wing. The crash will no doubt set back Vertical Aerospaces planned testing and production programme, as the prototype was the only flying model they had built, and a second, supposedly improved prototype, is only partially built.

 

Vertical Aerospace has already pushed back certification of the VX4 from 2025 to 2026. However, they currently hold around 1,400 pre-order bookings for the VX, which reportedly is going to be capable of transporting 4 pax and 1 pilot for up to 100 miles (160km) at a cruise speed of 150mph (240kmh/130kts).

 

https://simpleflying.com/vertical-aerospace-vx4-evtol-crashes/

 

 

 

 

[Carbon Canary]

This Australian company originally based at Narromine, but now at Bankstown are impressive.  
They have already completed a test flight and are hiring !

https://www.vertiia.com/

 

Edited August 11, 2023 by Carbon Canary

[Jerry_Atrick]

Although technically not a commerical passenger plane, Piper, courtesy of CAE are getting in on the act:

Piper PA-28 electric conversion kit on the way : : FLYER

FLYER.CO.UK

---

Pilot training company CAE is working with Piper Aircraft to develop a electric propulsion conversion kit for in-service Piper Archer...

 

Edited December 4, 2023 by Jerry_Atrick