Electric Aircraft Archives - Eco-Aviation Foundation International

Chaparral C1: world’s first turbogenerator-hybrid hVTOL takes flight

Liz Tang — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 00:19:58 +0000

The cutting-edge technology addresses limitations in all-electric systems, offering extended range and autonomous capabilities for logistics, humanitarian aid, and military resupply.
Elroy Air’s Chaparral C1 is not just a conventional cargo drone; it represents a significant leap forward in the aviation industry, combining distributed electric propulsion (DEP) with a turbogenerator-battery architecture. This innovative approach enables the aircraft to achieve vertical take-off, autonomous flight, and safe landing, marking a pivotal moment in developing hybrid-electric aircraft.

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Electra’s eSTOL demonstrator aircraft makes its first flights

Liz Tang — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 23:57:00 +0000

Known as the EL-2 Goldfinch, the two-seat “blown lift” demonstrator is actually classified as a hybrid-electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft. It utilizes eight electric propellers (four on each side) to blow air over its wings, greatly increasing lift and thus reducing the length of runways required for take-offs and landings. Such short runways could be located at small urban “pocket airports” in big cities, between which commuter eSTOLs could make short flights.
The propellers’ motors are powered by batteries that can either be charged before flight and then used on their own (for pure electric flight), or charged on the go by a small onboard turbogenerator (for hybrid flight). Thanks to this setup, the Goldfinch is reportedly much quieter and produces far less emissions than conventional fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters.

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Ampaire Makes Aviation History with First Hybrid Electric Flight into Silicon Valley

Liz Tang — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 00:35:00 +0000

Ampaire Inc., a leader in electric aviation technology, has achieved a historic milestone and unprecedented leap toward sustainable aviation, as CEO Kevin Noertker flew in the company’s flagship aircraft on the first-ever hybrid electric flight into Palo Alto Airport, to meet with investors in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Ampaire’s Electric EEL Takes Flight into Silicon Valley. CEO Kevin Noertker flew in the company’s flagship aircraft on the first-ever hybrid electric flight into Palo Alto Airport.

As the first company to accomplish such a feat, Ampaire is leading the charge in reducing carbon emissions and operational costs in the aviation industry. This successful flight underscores the confidence Ampaire has in its technology. It demonstrates the reliability, efficiency, and readiness of Ampaire’s hybrid electric airplanes, offering a glimpse into a future where air travel is greener and more accessible.

“The flight into Palo Alto Airport is not just a technical verification of our systems but a clear message that the era of electric aviation is upon us…”

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The world’s largest aircraft breaks cover in Silicon Valley | TechCrunch

Liz Tang — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 17:17:00 +0000

Pathfinder 1, a prototype electric airship by LTA Research: The airship — its snow-white steampunk profile visible from the busy 101 highway — has taken drone technology such as fly-by-wire controls, electric motors and lidar sensing, and supersized them to something longer than three Boeing 737s, potentially able to carry tons of cargo over many hundreds of miles…

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BETA continues rollout of electric aircraft charging network with Archer Aviation as customer

Liz Tang — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Two of the more prominent developers in electric aircraft – BETA Technologies and Archer Aviation – have announced they are collaborating to help roll out an interoperable charging network to support a multitude of electric vehicles…

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Archer Is Set To Debut Its Midnight Electric Air Taxi At The Dubai Air Show

Liz Tang — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 03:16:15 +0000

Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR), a leader in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, announced today its Midnight aircraft will make its Middle Eastern debut at the Dubai Air Show from November 13-17 as the featured aircraft in the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Pavilion. Additionally, Archer founder and CEO, Adam Goldstein, is set to deliver a keynote address as part of the show’s opening ceremony unveiling Archer’s plans to bring electric air taxis to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2026.

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Is the US commuter flight market ready to go electric?

Liz Tang — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 02:53:15 +0000

A third of flights in the US are less than 250 miles – which is already within range for electric planes. Sustainable aviation will need many technologies to fully decarbonise, including hydrogen, electric and sustainable aviation fuel. Most of these are still prohibitively expensive, don’t have enough scale or volume and aren’t ready for long-haul flights…

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Electric planes, once a fantasy, are beginning to take to the skies

Liz Tang — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 02:45:20 +0000

The first will be the CX300, a sleek plane with a 50-foot wingspan, large curved windows and a rear propeller.
Beta’s CX300 And Other Aircraft Have Flown As Far As 386 Miles On A Single Charge, But The Company Says It Expects Customers To Use Them To Carry Out Trips Of 100 To 150 Miles…

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U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) study on vertiport electrical infrastructure

Liz Tang — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 23:21:14 +0000

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) study on vertiport electrical infrastructure…

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Perryville Regional Airport unveils electric plane charger

Liz Tang — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 23:01:58 +0000

Perryville Regional Airport (PCD) unveiled public-access charging stations installed in partnership with BETA Technologies, an electric aerospace company based in South Burlington, Vermont on Tuesday.
These chargers are the first-ever electric aircraft chargers to be installed in the state of Missouri, and one of the first in the entire Midwest, unlocking new capability for PCD airport and the surrounding community as the future of electric aviation nears.
“I think we are seeing the future with this installation,” Perryville City Administrator Brent Buerck said. “BETA is a young company with incredible vision. This installation allows us to join them at the forefront of this technology as it is rolled out across the nation.”

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