Electric aircraft update
Electric aviation may seem light years away. But with hybrid and electric cars becoming more and more visible on our roads, will electric jets be far behind?
Many designers and innovators are already on the case, and there are a number of early stage electric aircraft projects underway, which we’ve been following closely.
We’re looking forward to being able to offer the first electric private aircraft for charter – and hoping that one or more of these exciting concepts makes it to the skies.
AIRBUS ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT: THE E-FAN
Backed by Airbus Group, the E-Fan is one of the most advanced electric aircraft projects. Since its first flight in April 2015 the two-seater’s prototype has already proved itself – being the first 100% electric aircraft to cross the English Channel in July the same year.
The E-Fan 2.0’s target market is flying clubs and flight schools, allowing apprentice pilots to undertake emission-free training. And Airbus say it will enter service in 2018.
But it’s just the start of Airbus’ electric aviation road map. The Group is exploring a range of other future electric-hybrid concepts in partnership with others, for commercial passenger flight.
ELECTRIC FLYING CARS: LILIUM & VAHANA
The flying car has been a recurring idea in science fiction for decades. But some VTOL (vertical take off and landing) concepts are driving (and flying) it ever closer.
At the scaled-down prototype stage, Lilium is a small ultramodern aircraft promising to transform the world of private transport – and ease congestion the roads. In addition to being all-electric, its VTOL design means it only needs a flat area of 15 m² to take off and land.
Lilium would be able to live in your garage and after take-off, cover 500 km at a cruise speed of 400 km/h. Its German designer, backed by the European Space Agency, says it will have a full-size version ready later in 2017, with plans to open the order book in 2018.
The designers say Lilium is aimed at private leisure customers, but we could also imagine it rivalling helicopters, for short range commercial transfers.
Airbus is also involved in flying car development via its Urban Air Mobility division. The aviation giant recently unveiled one of its VTOL concepts, Vahana, and has plans to test a small prototype before the end of 2017, with production starting by 2021.
Capable of seating one passenger, the autonomously-piloted Vahana will fly like a helicopter, taking off without the need for a runway. It is also capable of detecting obstacles and other aircraft.
RENEWABLE FUEL & BIOFUEL
In addition to electric transport, many other renewable and green initiatives are attracting attention within the private jet industry.
Last year at EBACE, Gulfstream made the first transatlantic flights using its own renewable fuel. The G450 and G550 flew from the United States to Switzerland, powered by a renewable fuel made from agricultural waste combined with fuel-based kerosene.
The US aircraft manufacturer proved that it’s possible to travel by plane with a fuel that emits half as much greenhouse gas.
Biofuels based on vegetable or animal oil are also regularly tested in the hope of finding a greener power source.
SOLAR-POWERED FLIGHT
Not requiring fuel or electricity at all, solar-powered flight is at the greenest – and most experimental – end of aircraft innovation. In 2015, Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg began to fly the Solar Impulse 2 around the world.
The aircraft looks like a giant bird with a wingspan bigger than a Boeing 747, and a solar skin – a covering of over 17,000 solar cells.
It took the team more than a year, flying in 17 stages, and much determination to fly Solar Impulse 2 over 42,000 km. But their subsequent world record proved that solar aviation is possible. It’s exciting to imagine what will follow.
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