Fri, Apr 01, 2011
But, As Dr. John Sang, Would It Go Around In Circles?
ANN April 1st Special Edition:
A Korean company plans to exhibit a prototype electric LSA at
AirVenture 2011. The company, Birds of a Tether, is entering the
market with the an airplane tentatively called the AC110, which the
company says is the worlds first plug-in airplane.
"The AC110 is a lot like the old "U-Control" models many pilots
had when they were kids," said Ray Ovac, director for U.S.
Marketing for Birds of a Tether. "The 1,000 foot extension cord
allows for a lot of fun flying ... as long as you don't mind flying
around in circles all day. But let's face it. Most recreational
flights are under an hour anyway, and end right where they started.
So why not just go around and around. It certainly works for
NASCAR."
The AC110 requires no fuel, fuel tank, or batteries. A
specially-designed electric cable tether attaches the airplane to a
counterweighted stake in the ground and can be connected to
common household current. "Then, you just taxi to the end of the
tether and go," said Ovac.
The company expects there will be a lot of interest in the AC110
from flight schools who want to give students good lessons in the
basics of flying very cost effectively. Birds of a Tether says they
are already in negotiations with several FBOs and flights schools
to install specially metered tether stations so that students and
pilots can be charged for the electricity they use, but "it's
always going to be cheaper than avgas," said Ovac. "This airplane
allows a student to learn the basics of flight control and airplane
handling without getting more than 1,000 feet from home. It's truly
the perfect training airplane," he added. The plane can be
configured with the extension cord on either the port or starbord
side to allow instruction in both left and right turns.
The price for the AC110 has not yet been established. They plan
for a demonstration flight around AeroShell Square at AirVenture in
July.
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