Company Believes It Is The First Electric-Powered Aircraft To Obtain Such Approval

Electric airplane company GreenWing International says that it has received what it believes to be a first in aviation worldwide. The German DULV organization sanctioned by the German government awarded its official certification February 5th, 2013.

“We believe this is the first time a national authority has certified an electric airplane,” noted company CEO Tian Yu. Prior electric aircraft have been motorgliders and some countries do not require certification for such aircraft.

GreenWing is working to put the eSpyder into production later in 2013. Details on pricing and availability will be announced at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Plans are for the eSpyder to be available in the USA first as an Experimental Amateur Built kit and later as a Light-Sport Aircraft when regulations permit electric power. In Germany and in other countries that recognize the DULV certification, eSpyder will be offered as a completed airplane.

One hour flight times have been achieved regularly during flight testing. The company reports eSpyder offers pilots an unprecedented flight experience with the extremely smooth and quiet 51 dB power system enabling pilots to enjoy their flight without the powerplant intruding on the experience. “This airplane allows you to cruise effortlessly at 1,000 feet above the terrain and hear what is going on on the surface,” said Yu. Normal conversation takes place at about 60 dB.

GreenWing said eSpyder was designed to enable quick, easy, reliable charging so that pilots can unplug the charger, roll out of the hangar, and takeoff silently and effortlessly for enjoyable flights of up to an hour. The fast charger can fully charge the batteries in about twice the flight time that has been used, for example: after a 45 minute flight, the plane can be fully charged again in 90 minutes.

“Pilots are already expressing an interest in using solar charging stations,” noted Yu. “It should be possible to use solar cells on the roof of a hangar to charge the battery between flights such that the plane can be flown daily without requiring energy from the power grid.”

A stall speed of just 24 knots, a landing roll in the hundreds of feet, and a nearly silent powerplant mean the eSpyder can be operated from a wide range of locations.

(eSpyder images from file.)

FMI: www.electricaviation.com