From Wired the article on yet another airborne electric vehicle, it seems electric powered airplanes have attracted more attention.
Even though they will currently not replace large commercial airliners, they start to make a lot of sense for flight schools, crop dusting and perhaps even parachuting. The time they can fly is limited, but with just a few hours of flight is still plenty for any of the mentioned fields above. If you know of other potential applications where a two hour flight is enough, please do share your story here with us.
German Electric Airplane Completes First Flight
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/03/german-electric-airplane-completes-first-flight/
During the first flight, performed by former Scaled Composites test pilot and engineer Jon Karkow, the Elektra One climbed to more than 500 meters (1,640 feet) and used roughly half of the 6 kilowatt hours available in the batteries. The second flight, which took place on Wednesday, was performed by German test pilot Norbert Lorenze.
The small, but sleek airplane weighs just 100 kilograms (220 pounds) empty and carries another 100 kilograms worth of batteries. With a maximum weight of 300 kg, there is still enough room for a larger than average pilot.
(via Instapaper)
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