Targeting the Electric Archer

The Centre Technologique en Aérospatiale (CTA)—a Canadian technological concern dedicated to the application of aerospace technologies—in cooperation with the École Nationale d'Aérotechnique (ÉNA) of Cégep Édouard-Montpetit—the largest college-level institution for aviation technology in North America—are making ready to convert a Piper Archer aircraft to electric power.

The project is headed up by CAE—the Canadian technology company with which every pilot who’s ever sweated out long hours in a level-C or level-D simulator is deeply and personally familiar.

The joint endeavor sets out to bring an electric version of Piper’s robust and popular PA-28-180 to the new aircraft market, and develop an FAA-Transport Canada approved conversion kit for extant Piper Archers.

Research teams from the CTA and ÉNA, will ply their experience and expertise to the removal of the Archer’s piston-gasoline engine and the development and integration of an electric propulsion unit suitable to the Archer’s airframe and general aviation mission. The processes will be carefully documented for purpose of better understanding the conversion’s inherent challenges and inevitable issues.

CAE vice president of technology and innovation Marc St. Hilaire states: “We are pleased to be working with CTA and ÉNA, two world-class institutions that will support CAE’s electric aircraft modification program and contribute their solid expertise to shaping the future of sustainable aviation.”

The database, procedures, and expertise occasioned by the Archer electrification enterprise stand to hasten the aerospace industry’s progress toward green propulsion systems, and advance both Canada’s and Piper’s conservationist ambitions.

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