An electric-drive Extra 330LE aerobatics plane has set a world record in ascent in the category of “Electric aircraft weighing up to 1,000 kilograms.” Pilot Walter Extra climbed at 11.5 meters per second, reaching an altitude of 3,000 meters in four minutes and 22 seconds, to beat the previous record by one minute and 10… Read more »
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Siemens 260 kW electric aircraft motor makes first public flight
Siemens researchers have developed a new type of electric motor that delivers a continuous output of about 260 kW and weighs 50 kg. The new drive system, designed for a joint project of Siemens and Airbus to develop electrified aircraft, recently made its maiden flight in an Extra 330LE aerobatic airplane. “This day will change… Read more »
German consortium halfway to goal of reducing carbon fiber costs by 90 percent
BMW has bet big on carbon fiber – it’s a key material in the groundbreaking i3 and i8 EVs, and the Bavarian automaker is steadily increasing production of the stuff. However, the miracle material is still too expensive for most automakers to take advantage of its strength and light weight – the average cost of… Read more »
EADS and Siemens electrify aviation
Electric aircraft may be taking to the skies sooner than you think. EADS (the parent company of Airbus) and various partners have several “E-aircraft” research projects underway, and have already flown a couple of electrified airplanes. In 2010, EADS Innovation Works (IW) and Aero Composites Saintonge (ACS) flew a single-seat, 375 lb plane called the… Read more »