Electric aircraft can’t match the range and speed of piston-powered planes like the Beech Baron for long flights, but they might excel in specific missions, such as short-haul routes with time for charging. While batteries lag behind 100LL in energy density, history shows early skepticism of disruptive technology — like automobiles — can evolve into widespread acceptance as use cases expand.
electric aircraft
EcoPulse concludes flight test campaign
EcoPulse performed its first hybrid-electric test flight Nov. 29, 2023, from Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport in France. Since its maiden flight, EcoPulse accumulated 100 flight hours and performed some 50 test flights with the distributed hybrid propulsion system, the last of which took place in July 2024, according to company officials.
First flight for electric trainer aircraft
INTEGRAL E, the electric version of AURA AERO’s two-seater aircraft designed for training, aerobatics, and leisure, performed its first flight Dec. 3, 2024, at Toulouse-Francazal Airport in France.
First production-line CX300 makes first flight
“On Nov. 13, BETA Technologies completed the first flight of an electric aircraft built on its scaled production line,” wrote BETA in its YouTube description of the first production-line CX300. “Within a year, BETA has gone from a certificate of occupancy on its 200,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in South Burlington, Vermont, to fully installed tooling, an organized supply chain, and manufactured propulsion systems — to rolling an aircraft off its production line, getting a certificate of airworthiness by the FAA, and flying it.”
Saft introduces 28V lithium-ion battery for aviation
The 28-volt (V) lithium-ion battery stores over twice the energy in the same weight and one and a half times the energy in the same volume than a lead acid battery, according to company officials.
Electric aircraft manufacturer chooses Florida for U.S. plant
AURA AERO, a French designer and manufacturer of next-generation electric aircraft, will build a 500,000-square-foot manufacturing and assembly plant in Volusia County at Daytona Beach International Airport (KDAY) in Florida.
Picture of the Day: Electric airplane wows Aviation Weekend visitors
Susan Loricchio submitted this photo and note: “Recently, I co-organized ‘Aviation Weekend’ with Liberty Science Center in Jersey City. We were lucky enough to have the world’s first FAA certified all-electric aircraft, Pipistrel’s Velis Electro, on hand for an up lose look, courtesy of Lincoln Park Aviation.”
Electric aircraft takes flight at SMO
Eco-Aviation Foundation International has taken delivery of the first Velis Electro to be used for flight training purposes under an FAA airworthiness exemption.
Initial build of eFlyer begins
The project aims to fabricate and assemble an all-composite structure, validate approved design plans, and establish production processes, according to company officials.