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Just like the hobbyists and tinkerers preceded the major car companies in developing Electric Cars, a new group of enthusiasts are adapting batteries and electric motors for flight. These are very early days and the steps are fairly small, but the demands of flight are sure to accelerate the development of lighter and more energy-dense batteries, smaller and more efficient motors and, most importantly, more sophisticated control software. Just like cars, the simplicity and robustness of electric propulsion is very alluring to aviators.
Here is one example, a Rutan LongEZ modified to fly on batteries that has captured a number of Electric Flight Records, including the speed record at 216 MPH (Click the photo below for a video of a test flight.)
The plane is even equipped with a mid-air recharging probe to allow longer flights. Click on the photo below for more details about the records captured by Chip Yates and his modified LongEZ.
These are all very exciting developments that give me hope about the future of electric propulsion in all forms.
Here is one example, a Rutan LongEZ modified to fly on batteries that has captured a number of Electric Flight Records, including the speed record at 216 MPH (Click the photo below for a video of a test flight.)
The plane is even equipped with a mid-air recharging probe to allow longer flights. Click on the photo below for more details about the records captured by Chip Yates and his modified LongEZ.
These are all very exciting developments that give me hope about the future of electric propulsion in all forms.
