Electric Plane Wins $1.35 Million in NASA Challenge

jmygann

100 kW
Joined
May 30, 2008
Messages
1,069
The winning aircraft, the Pipistrel Taurus G4, is a four-seat, twin-fuselage aircraft powered by a 145-kilowatt brushless electric motor driving a two-blade propeller mounted on a spar between the fuselages. The plane's wingspan is about 75 feet.


http://news.yahoo.com/electric-plane-wins-1-35-million-nasa-challenge-221603672.html

http://www.space.com/13178-electric-plane-wins-nasa-challenge.html

http://www.pipistrel-usa.com/blog1/

nasa-green-aviation-challenge-electric-plane.jpg
 
a smaller one you can buy ...

http://pipistrel-usa.com/models/taurus-electro.html

Taurus-Electro-1.jpg


The tailor-developed Lithium-technology batteries come in two configurations, capable of launching the aeroplane to 1200 m (4000 ft) or 2000 m (6500 ft) respectively. They are placed in self-contained boxes, monitored constantly by the super-precise Pipistrel battery management system (BMS), compete with data-logging and battery health forecasting.

The propulsion motor weighs an impressive 11 kg (rather than 16 kg) and generates 10 kW more power, resulting in a total of 40 kW. Due to this 33% increase in power and 40% decrease in weight we developed a whole new propeller, which has proven to be more efficient than the version flying on the Taurus Electro Prototype.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B5CvvpHt0c&feature=player_embedded

[youtube]4B5CvvpHt0c&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
 
Good intro video ...

http://www.aero-news.net/subsite.cfm?do=video.playVideo&videoid=9be22aca-3555-440d-b832-31a0c2b4e561

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HnR8u8omF0&feature=player_embedded

An august flight ...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNn_9xRxWro&feature=player_embedded#!
 
jmygann said:
a smaller one you can buy ...

http://pipistrel-usa.com/models/taurus-electro.html

Taurus-Electro-1.jpg


The tailor-developed Lithium-technology batteries come in two configurations, capable of launching the aeroplane to 1200 m (4000 ft) or 2000 m (6500 ft) respectively. They are placed in self-contained boxes, monitored constantly by the super-precise Pipistrel battery management system (BMS), compete with data-logging and battery health forecasting.

The propulsion motor weighs an impressive 11 kg (rather than 16 kg) and generates 10 kW more power, resulting in a total of 40 kW. Due to this 33% increase in power and 40% decrease in weight we developed a whole new propeller, which has proven to be more efficient than the version flying on the Taurus Electro Prototype.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B5CvvpHt0c&feature=player_embedded

[youtube]4B5CvvpHt0c&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

The IC powered variant has been around for a long time. I think it cost @ $125,000, fifteen years ago. The electric version is @ $130,000 plus shipping.
You will note the "4 place" aircraft only had one person on board. To compete in the contest it could neither carry 4 people or get off the ground with more than one in it.
The other entries in the contest are also note worthy. Embry-Riddle did not qualify, but build a remarkable aircraft from scratch. http://cafefoundation.org/v2/main_home.php
 
Back
Top