The First Battery-Powered Aircraft Has Taken Its First Flight

As technology keeps improving, so does human need for modern mechanization.

The New Year started off with a landmark achievement in the Australian Aviation Industry; as history was made in Perth, Australia, on the 2nd of January, 2018.

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Pipistrel's Alpha Electro electric aircraft, owned by Electro.Aero, embarked on its maiden voyage through Australian skies via Perth’s Jandakot Airport, a day after New Year’s festivities.

The feat achieved by the Pipistrel's Alpha Electro electric aircraft, made it the first time an electric light sport aircraft would fly Australian skies after being certified to fly in the famous country in the southern hemisphere.

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The Pipistrel's Alpha Electro electric aircraft designed by the Australian Aviation company, Electro.Aero was designed with efficiency and cost effectiveness in mind. The electric aircraft is to become a cheap and efficient pilot training craft.

Following its first successful test flight, which was spear-headed by Electro.Aero, the Pipistrel’s Alpha Electro, marks a new frontier for aviation and makes a bold statement for electric aircrafts in Australia.

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The Electro.Aero aviation company obtained a Special Certificate of Airworthiness for the Alpha Electro from the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in October of 2017, and has been at the forefront of electric aviation technology in Australia

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The Alpha Electro

The Alpha Electro was manufactured by Pipistrel which is an aviation manufacturing company based in Slovenia. Pipistrel’s Alpha Electro is;

• A two-seater
• Single propeller light aircraft
• Powered by two lithium-ion batteries
• Super quiet for an aircraft

According to reports, a full charge can power the plane in the sky for up to one hour; and it also boasts of a 30 minute extra power in reserve.

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The Test Flight

The Alpha Electro aircraft took to the skies at the Jandakot Airport, known as a general aviation and training airport in Perth, Australia.

In a highly witnessed affair, the aircraft flew two circuits in the traffic pattern at Jandakot Airport, Perth.

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A Quiet Aircraft

The most amazing feature of the Alpha.Electro aircraft would have to be its quietness. This elicited the most comments from onlookers, who witnessed the test flight of the aircraft.

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According to Pipistrel and Electro.Aero, they anticipate that the quiet feature of the aircraft would make it highly sought after by the aviation market.

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Speaking after a successful first test flight, the Finance Director of Electro.Aero, Richard Carlton said;

"This is the start of the next revolution in general aviation."

"We are already fielding enquiries from airports located in major cities where noise complaints have become their number one concern."

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On the mechanization of the aircraft

Manufactured in Slovenia by Pipistrel, the Alpha Electro underwent several prototype development over the years before it entered its production phase.

The Pipistrel Alpha Electro is considered an all-composite, high-tech light sport aircraft. It is design is closely based on the successful invention of the Pipistrel Alpha petrol-engined trainer.

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Electro.Aero’s Richard Carlton, pointed out that;

"It really is the quietest light aircraft that any of us have ever seen."

"The electric engine is really simple. It has one moving part, it's a very small piece of equipment and it is a solid-state motor."

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Limitation

Despite the awesomeness of the Alpha Electro, it does have a major limitation or challenge, and that is flight distance.

Considering the fact that its battery power lasts for just about an hour, flying long and far distances is an absolute, no-no. And this is a major challenge.

So basically, if you or a crew intends travelling a far distance, it simply means they would have to revert to the conventional gas or fossil fuel-powered aircrafts instead.

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Summary

A battery powered aircraft launched on the 2nd of January 2018, has to be one of the spectacular occurrences that science and technology would throw our way this 2018. And it would surely be remembered in years to come.

The simple electric motor of the aircraft is significantly quieter than our conventional fossil fuel-powered aircraft engines.

Asides the fact that the battery powered plane can fly, its batteries can easily be replaced for quick flight turnovers. It can also attain full charge in a little under one hour.

When compared to the conventional fossil fuel engines, Richard Charlton highlighted the fact that the simplicity of the electric engine powering the Alpha Electro aircraft, would translate into cheaper maintenance cost and running of the aircraft.

However, the major limitation and challenge with regards to the highly heralded Alpha Electro, would be flight distance; seeing as it can only fly for one hour tops, on full charge.

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Reference:

• New Atlas
• Pipistrel
• Electro.Aero

Further Reading:

• Monroe Aerospace
• Sustainable Skies
• Solar Quotes

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@rickie