What’s it like to fly an electric airplane? Stefan Drury recently posted a video on YouTube documenting his flight in a Pipistrel Alpha Electro. Check it out below:
What do you think? Could your next airplane be electric?
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I drive an electric car, and am totally happy with it. having said that, I will also point out that it masses over 2200 kg (5000 lbs), and much of that is battery. Low temps (~ 0°C) are the equivalent of a 25 kt headwind re: battery capacity. The energy density (Joules/kg) of the entire powerplant is still quite low compared to avgas, but we do need to start somewhere and just keep our fingers crossed that the engineers will have a breakthrough that will increase the energy density by a factor of 3 or so to make them equivalent to current avgas/combustion engines. I do agree with the final sentiment that these are ideal training aircraft to get more pilots into the Left Seat.
Dont wory about carburetor heat and empty rt fuel tank.
But you still need to watch the coolant temp for the motor, controller and the battery…all are liquid cooled.
It has no fuel tank, and the battery capacity is equivalent to 5 gallons of avgas.!
No, never.!
This aircraft can only fly for about 60 minutes, with a 75 nm range, which means a 37 nm out and back flight. A couldn’t get to my favorite ‘$100 burger place’.
What about the 30 minute VFR reserve requirement ?
Then there is the $142k price, $50k more than the gas version that has a 3+ hour endurance.
The DC fast charger is $16k, but here in CA, PG&E will charge $20k to install the transformer for the 480 volt, 125 amp service., which is needed to get the 1 hour recharge time.
Then, will the airport would allow this connection and charger.?
A more typical 240 volt, 30 amp service, would take 8 hours to recharge.
The short hop, VTOLs may see service, but for any serious distance flights, an avgas powered aircraft will still be used.
Great stuff! Won’t replace my Mooney just yet, but that glimpse of the future is exciting.
We all know how an airplane flies, it would have been nice to see more information/video on the electric operation including engine and it’s gauges.