Thu, Sep 15, 2022
Alps and Amps
Elektra Solar GmbH, the German designer and manufacturer of solar-electric powered aircraft, has won the prestigious eTrophy at the Eletcrifly-In competition in Bern, Switzerland. Elektra’s entry—the company’s brand new two-seater UL Elektra Trainer aircraft—beat out concepts from rival manufacturers Pipistrel and X-eye.
The eTrophy is awarded to the electric aircraft that travels the longest, un-recharged distance to the competition. Elektra’s test pilot, engineer, and sales manager Uwe Nortmann departed the Baden-Württemberg airfield, a grass airstrip in the southern German town of Pfullendorf, on 10 September and proceeded along a southwesterly course to Bern, covering 174-kilometers (108-miles) in a contest-winning two hours and ten minutes. Herr Nortmann’s journey, though neither particularly lengthy nor swift, is nonetheless impressive insomuch as it was conducted in overcast, rainy conditions against a sustained 13-knot headwind. Analysis of the flight data showed the Elektra Trainer consumed 10kWh per every one-hundred kilometers flown—about half the energy consumption of an electric car.
Designed with an eye toward flight-schools and flying clubs, the Elektra Trainer’s hourly operating cost of about sixty-euros is half that of a legacy ultralight aircraft. Elektra posits the skyrocketing price of conventional aviation fuels—driven by short-sighted, economically devastating European Union Green policies—will further increase the Elektra Trainer’s cost advantage over its internal-combustion-powered competitors.
In addition to a 2.5-hour flight duration, a dual-redundant electric powertrain, variable-pitch propeller, retractable landing gear, and a 25:1 glide-ratio, the Elektra Trainer features perpetual uplink to Elektra Solar GmbH’s cloud infrastructure—by which system state flight data is uploaded and automatically analyzed with the help of AI-algorithms. Errors and deviations from baseline normal condition are reported to the aircraft’s owner and/or a maintenance provider, thereby increasing safety of flight and streamlining both repairs and scheduled maintenance.
More News
Say Altitude Used by ATC to ascertain an aircraft's specific altitude/flight level. When the aircraft is climbing or descending, the pilot should state the indicated altitude round>[...]
Aero Linx: European Air Law Association (EALA) EALA was established in 1988 with the aim to promote the study of European air law and to provide an open forum for those with an int>[...]
From 2023 (YouTube Version): The Life, Death, Life, Death, and Life of a Glorious Warbird In 1981, business-owner Jim Tobul and his father purchased a Chance-Vought F4U Corsair. Mo>[...]
Also: USCG Retires MH-65 Dolphins, Irish Aviation Authority, NATCA Warns FAA, Diamond DA42 AD This summer, history enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to experience World Wa>[...]
Also: WACO Kitchen Bails, French SportPlane Mfr to FL, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Innovation Preview Bobby Bailey, a bit of a fixture in sport aviation circles for his work with>[...]