E-Fan vs. Sun Flyer

exncsurfer

exncsurfer

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exncsurfer
I was reading this article and wondering how they're expecting 3 hour endurance on an electric trainer(which I assume is at least 2 place) when Airbus E-Fan trainer is projecting a 45 minute endurance.

Are the Sun Flyer numbers just wishful thinking? Or are they doing something that much better? Or perhaps they're planning for jockey sized pilots?


article link:
http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Sun-Flyer-Prototype-On-Assembly-Line-224471-1.html
 
I doubt they're going to find some magical battery that allows them to store another two hours of energy in it for the same amount of weight. Perhaps it flies at low enough speeds that it becomes more of a powered-glider than the typical SEL-trainer. I just don't see them being of value to anyone but a flight school that is only concerned with sending guys out to the pattern/practice area for 1-1.5hrs then back. Going on XC's is going to be problematic, especially the long-XC unless you have some spare batteries hanging out at the destination airport.
 
SoonerAviator said:
I just don't see them being of value to anyone but a flight school that is only concerned with sending guys out to the pattern/practice area for 1-1.5hrs then back. Going on XC's is going to be problematic, especially the long-XC unless you have some spare batteries hanging out at the destination airport.
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Depends on the type of flying you're looking to do. For me 1-2 hours is plenty of endurance. I just like to go up, tool around in the local area, then land. However, my fear with anything battery powered (cars, planes, tools) is what happens when the battery degrades to a point where it can no longer hold a good charge/provide enough power? How much will it cost to replace them? Will there still be a replacement on the market?

I guess it's the same as the engine needing to be replaced on a piston aircraft, but you can typically find a replacement engine. With the evolution of battery tech and how quickly it changes, 1-2 years from now you may not be able to get a replacement, nevermind 10-20 years from now. Going further since many of us still fly planes from the 1940s, what are the chances of getting a replacement battery after nearly 80 years?
 
skier said:
I guess it's the same as the engine needing to be replaced on a piston aircraft, but you can typically find a replacement engine. With the evolution of battery tech and how quickly it changes, 1-2 years from now you may not be able to get a replacement, nevermind 10-20 years from now. Going further since many of us still fly planes from the 1940s, what are the chances of getting a replacement battery after nearly 80 years?
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Pretty good I would think. You just need to connect the wires :D
The new battery will have a higher energy density and likely weight less. So your plane will magically get an upgrade.

Tim
 
skier said:
Depends on the type of flying you're looking to do. For me 1-2 hours is plenty of endurance. I just like to go up, tool around in the local area, then land. However, my fear with anything battery powered (cars, planes, tools) is what happens when the battery degrades to a point where it can no longer hold a good charge/provide enough power? How much will it cost to replace them? Will there still be a replacement on the market?

I guess it's the same as the engine needing to be replaced on a piston aircraft, but you can typically find a replacement engine. With the evolution of battery tech and how quickly it changes, 1-2 years from now you may not be able to get a replacement, nevermind 10-20 years from now. Going further since many of us still fly planes from the 1940s, what are the chances of getting a replacement battery after nearly 80 years?
Click to expand...

all well and good, but even doing a basic burger run would be difficult for me, as it'd be 1-1.5hrs each way to an airport with a restaurant. So I wouldn't likely be able to make it round-trip on a single charge. As far as battery tech, it really hasn't changed all that much in decades, and I'm sure in 40 years, they'll still have batteries available. It may have a different chemical formulation or such, but as long as it fits within the same dimensions and has the same power output, I doubt it will be of much issue.
 
I like the Solar on the wings. That would help add some time to the flight. But, probably not significantly.

Just think, you could hear one day " I need to declare an emergency, I need an emergency ascent to xxxxx so I can recharge my batteries"
 
Hey, let's carry an energy source that doesn't get lighter as you use it!

Yeah, what a great idea, that's much better than using an already proven energy source that has more energy density, gets lighter as you use it, and allows you to adjust and have more payload for shorter trips!

I've got an even better idea. Use windmills to charge the batteries. You could fly forever.
 
45 minutes endurance? Doesn't that equate to a 15 minute max flight plan?
 
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