Distributed Electric Power in Flight Tests Soon

A joint Daher and Airbus project will get to strut its stuff at the upcoming Paris Air Show, updating onlookers as to the current state of the all-electric TBM-based aircraft.

The EcoPulse demonstrator strays off the beaten path of its standard Jet-A drinking forebear with the addition of 6 electrically driven motors installed along the wings, trialing a distributed propulsion system to gauge overall energy efficiency. Each pod sports a 3-bladed DUC propeller and a 50kW "ENGINeUS" motor. While the package is a bit janky looking from the outside, it sports the usual polish expected of the duo's products, sporting a nicely geometric blue on white livery to put an exclamation mark on its 'clean' brand. 

In preparation for the Air Show, techs have been "busy preparing the aircraft’s final aerodynamic and systems configuration" for a pure electric flight using only the 6 outboard motors. Currently the focus lies on aerodynamic testing, progressing from test flights with 2, then 4, then all 6 electric motors installed as they shook out any unforeseen issues. Next up? A distributed power, hybrid flight using the PT6 in addition to the electrics.

FMI: www.airbus.com