Electric and Hydrogen aeroplanes - feasibility and issues

[aonestudio]

GE Aviation to partner with Boeing on hybrid electric flight test demonstration program | GE Aerospace News

EVENDALE, Ohio – GE Aviation has selected Boeing to support flight tests of its hybrid electric propulsion system using a modified Saab 340B aircraft and CT7-9B turboprop engines. Boeing and its subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences will provide GE Aviation with airplane modification, system...

www.geaviation.com

February 3, 2022

EVENDALE, Ohio – GE Aviation has selected Boeing to support flight tests of its hybrid electric propulsion system using a modified Saab 340B aircraft and CT7-9B turboprop engines.

 

[GTX]

Hydrogen-powered planes could handle a third of passenger air travel,…

Airbus has designed zero-emissions concept aircraft, but they won't be ready for short-range commercial operations until 2035.

www.canarymedia.com

 

[alberchico]

MagniX Teams with Brazil's Desaer on Hybrid-electric Regional Airliner

Desaer, which has been developing the ATL-100 light regional twin turboprop, is looking at the next iteration, the ATL-100H, which incorporates magniX magni350 electric propulsion units.

www.futureflight.aero

Very interesting development. This is currently the only 19 seater in development that will incorporate a rear cargo ramp, so it might give the Cessna Skycourier a run for its money. It also might be a very useful as a light military transport. The only problem with this configuration is that you save fuel but you also add a lot of weight and complexity to the design.

 

[VTOLicious]

MagniX Teams with Brazil's Desaer on Hybrid-electric Regional Airliner

Desaer, which has been developing the ATL-100 light regional twin turboprop, is looking at the next iteration, the ATL-100H, which incorporates magniX magni350 electric propulsion units.

www.futureflight.aero

Very interesting development. This is currently the only 19 seater in development that will incorporate a rear cargo ramp, so it might give the Cessna Skycourier a run for its money. It also might be a very useful as a light military transport. The only problem with this configuration is that you save fuel but you also add a lot of weight and complexity to the design.

"Desaer's planned hybrid electric ATL100 regional airliner will feature MagniX's electric propulsion system and a pair of turboprop engines"

How can additional weight and drag help to safe fuel?

 

[Tuna]

How can additional weight and drag help to safe fuel?

The peak power you need during takeoff is typically much greater than the level of power you usually need during level flight. The power-to-weight of an electric engine is dramatically higher than that of a turbine, so long as you only need that power for a minute or two. A hybrid aircraft that is provided with sufficient power for taking off by the electric engines, and has conventional engines sized to only provide the constant power needed for level flight or very slow climb can be substantially lighter and less draggy than a conventional plane that has turboprops sized for takeoff loads.

Of course, all engineering comes with tradeoffs, and in this case one of those is that if one of it's turboprops fails, a conventional plane that's in the air has plenty of power reserve remaining, while a hybrid plane that's at altitude with empty batteries wouldn't.

 

[VTOLicious]

How can additional weight and drag help to safe fuel?

The peak power you need during takeoff is typically much greater than the level of power you usually need during level flight. The power-to-weight of an electric engine is dramatically higher than that of a turbine, so long as you only need that power for a minute or two. A hybrid aircraft that is provided with sufficient power for taking off by the electric engines, and has conventional engines sized to only provide the constant power needed for level flight or very slow climb can be substantially lighter and less draggy than a conventional plane that has turboprops sized for takeoff loads.

Of course, all engineering comes with tradeoffs, and in this case one of those is that if one of it's turboprops fails, a conventional plane that's in the air has plenty of power reserve remaining, while a hybrid plane that's at altitude with empty batteries wouldn't.

I'm aware of the basic principle.

What I question is the implementation shown in the picture I've posted.
It suggests they would put two electric motors (incl. nacelles, propellers) on the wings IN ADDITION to the Turboprops of the standard aircraft.

 

[alberchico]

Natilus Announces $6bn Worth of Purchase Commitments For Its Autonomous Cargo Aircraft

In big news for the autonomous cargo aircraft market, U.S company Natilus has announced it has received $6bn worth of purchase commitments for its aircraft.

aviationsourcenews.com

I don't really think this company has much of a chance but it's still worth mentioning.

 

[alberchico]

Nobody ever said making electric planes would be easy

Today's batteries won't cut it—but researchers aren't ready to give up hope.

www.motherjones.com

This article is interesting because it explains the challenges that involve improving battery technology for use in aviation.

 

[alberchico]

Electra Partners with Yugo to Open New Destinations in Asia to Private Air Travel with Clean Hybrid-Electric eSTOL Aircraft

/PRNewswire/ -- Electra.aero, Inc. ("Electra"), a pioneering developer of sustainable aircraft, and Yugo, Asia's fast-growing private air mobility platform,...

www.prnewswire.com

Home | Electra.aero

www.electra.aero

If this company manages to meet it's promises regarding range and payload, this aircraft could prove to be a serious competitor to the Tecnam P2012. Considering that the USAF as well as Lockheed Martin are investing in this project they have a chance. The fact that it has extreme STOL capabilities could be very useful in the developing world.

 

[Zoo Tycoon]

Home | Electra.aero

www.electra.aero

I switched off when I read “it will have in flight battery recharging”. Just where is the energy coming from? Having a fuel, electrical generator and battery makes no sense in a platform as weight sensitive as this. And at some point someone’s has to squirt something into it, be it liquid or electricity.

 

[Zoo Tycoon]

Nobody ever said making electric planes would be easy

Today's batteries won't cut it—but researchers aren't ready to give up hope.

www.motherjones.com

This article is interesting because it explains the challenges that involve improving battery technology for use in aviation.

Lithium is the third lightest element. It’s got just three electrons and can give only one up but that’s 33%. Any other alternative element is going to be heavier,i indeed much, much heavier. Lithium is also naturally reactive so is keen to give up its electron. I guess for a mass competitive chemistry, the reactivity has to out pace the increase in density, but too much just creates too stable a reaction product. Where next for the balance of density and reactivity?

 

[VTOLicious]

If this company manages to meet it's promises regarding range and payload, this aircraft could prove to be a serious competitor to the Tecnam P2012. Considering that the USAF as well as Lockheed Martin are investing in this project they have a chance. The fact that it has extreme STOL capabilities could be very useful in the developing world.

Speaking of Tecnam, what's the status of the X-57 programme? It's supposed to explore the feasibility of DEP.

https://www.nasa.gov/specials/X57/

Edit: Found a vid that was posted six months ago..."looking forward to first flight"...

View: https://youtu.be/2SP0PZws9jQ

 

[VTOLicious]

AMPRIUS TECHNOLOGIES SHIPS FIRST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE 450 Wh/kg, 1150 Wh/L BATTERIES​

https://amprius.com/2022/02/amprius...ially-available-450-wh-kg-1150-wh-l-batteries

 

[alberchico]

Co-founder James Dorris explains Odys Aviation's unique VTOL design

When we first covered Odys Aviation (formerly Craft Aerospace) last September, we were struck not only by the impressive figures attached to it, but by its completely unique design. Where the vast majority of eVTOL designs are two-to-five-seaters aimed at the urban air taxi space, Odys put forth a…

newatlas.com

One thing I love about this site is that when they conduct an interview, they actually ask meaningful questions instead of just writing some fluff piece like so many other sites that cover this industry often do.

This has got to be my favorite interview so far. I like how they hold this guys feet to the fire over his preposterous idea of creating an evtol the size of a small bus.

Flying bus: Braeden Kelekona elaborates on his staggering 40-seat eVTOL

eVTOLS, or electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, are a hot topic at the moment. Dozens, even hundreds of companies are working at fever pitch to create the new class of clean, quiet, cheap air taxi that many believe will fundamentally transform our cities in the coming decades. You could…

newatlas.com

 

[AeroFranz]

AMPRIUS TECHNOLOGIES SHIPS FIRST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE 450 Wh/kg, 1150 Wh/L BATTERIES​

https://amprius.com/2022/02/amprius...ially-available-450-wh-kg-1150-wh-l-batteries

Amazing if the claims are verified. I'm...let's say..."cautiously optimistic"? Frankly even a practical cell with specific energy two thirds of that would be very nice.

 

[aonestudio]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1496126928620765186

View: https://twitter.com/AirbusPRESS/status/1496126928620765186

https://twitter.com/x/status/1496129603919921156

View: https://twitter.com/Airbus/status/1496129603919921156

https://twitter.com/x/status/1496129011918987275

View: https://twitter.com/CFM_engines/status/1496129011918987275

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VXnz-NA0K4

 

[alberchico]

Pipistrel and Textron: An Odd Marriage Indeed

Textron buys a lot of companies, but Pipistrel is the last one we would have expected. It's gonna be interesting to watch.

www.avweb.com

There was a previous video posted that said that this aircraft does not have enough battery reserves to be viable in the U.S.

Pipistrel Velis Flight Trial: Cool Airplane, Not For U.S. Market

Pipistrel's Velis, the first certified electric airplane, is a technical tour de force. But its legs are far too short to make a realistic player in the U.S. market.

www.avweb.com

 

[Dagger]

Airbus and @CFM_International to pioneer hydrogen combustion technology https://fly.airbus.com/3h47foH
..................

A lot of bla bla.

All that Airbus and CFM will do is take an existing jet engine, modify the burners and fuel system, mount that engine at the rear fuselage of an A380 and put a couple of LH2 tanks inside the A380.

First flight is scheduled for the end of 2026.

So it will take Airbus/CFM at least 4.5 years to achieve that.
Either they are incompetent, or, more likely, they don't really care and do this only for green publicity and drag it on as long as possible.

 

[GTX]

Good source of information:

FlyZero Reports Archive - Aerospace Technology Institute

The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) creates the technology strategy for the UK aerospace sector and funds world-class research and development.

www.ati.org.uk

 

[GTX]

Electric Planes Taking Off

Prototypes and tests of zero-emission planes show the industry is on the cusp of clean air travel and goods delivery.

semiengineering.com

 

[alberchico]

Bloomberg - Are you a robot?

This article details how despite spending almost 2 billion dollars over a period of 10 years, Amazon still can't get their dream of delivery drones off the ground.

"A Bloomberg investigation based on internal documents, government reports and interviews with 13 current and former employees reveals a program beset by technical challenges, high turnover and safety concerns"

"A serious crash in June prompted federal regulators to question the drone’s airworthiness because multiple safety features failed and the machine careened out of control, causing a brush fire"

I wonder how many of these upstart eVTOL companies have designs that simply can't be certified for commercial use but don't realize it yet because they completely underestimated how tough regulatory bodies are when it comes to aviation as opposed to other fields.

 

[GTX]

This article details how despite spending almost 2 billion dollars over a period of 10 years, Amazon still can't get their dream of delivery drones off the ground...

This reminds me a bit of the story of Samuel Pierpont Langley vs Orville and Wilbur Wright.

 

[Archibald]

This article details how despite spending almost 2 billion dollars over a period of 10 years, Amazon still can't get their dream of delivery drones off the ground...

This reminds me a bit of the story of Samuel Pierpont Langley vs Orville and Wilbur Wright.

Or Kuiper vs Starlink. Or BE4 engine.

 

[Charlesferdinand]

Not sure if it qualifies as an airplane, but there is the Regent seaglider, an all electric WIG craft that was presented recently. According to the press release, they already have 334 on order.

REGENT Publicly Displays Seaglider Prototype for the First Time During CoMotion Miami

/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- REGENT, the venture-backed aerospace and maritime company, unveiled a prototype of the company's all-electric seaglider for the first...

www.prweb.com

 

[alberchico]

Eve Air Mobility enlists Thales to help develop eVTOL aircraft

Eve has selected Thales to develop its avionics, electric, flight control, navigation, communication, and connectivity systems for its eVTOL.

evtol.com

Embraer’s Eve Air Mobility Partners with Thales

Brazil’s Eve Air Mobility announced Wednesday a strategic partnership with France-based aviation giant Thales to help develop avionics, flight control, navigation, communication, and connectivity systems for Eve’s proposed new electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi.

www.flyingmag.com

"The companies announced on Wednesday that they have been partnering since January to conduct joint studies to examine the technical, economical, and adaptable feasibility of Eve’s aircraft. The study will run until the end of the year, the companies said."

"In addition to developing avionics, the Eve/Thales partnership includes extensive joint research on the overall feasibility of an eVTOL aircraft"

I'm a bit confused by these statements. Considering the large number of orders this aircraft has received, I assumed that Embraer had already committed themselves to see this project through all the way to certification. But they're still evaluating whether or not designing an eVTOL is feasible ? So does that mean that they could suddenly pull the plug and scrap the project if they feel like the business case is not strong enough ?

 

[GTX]

Considering the large number of orders this aircraft has received,

Not all 'orders' are orders...

 

[Rhinocrates]

Not sure if it qualifies as an airplane, but there is the Regent seaglider, an all electric WIG craft that was presented recently. According to the press release, they already have 334 on order.

REGENT Publicly Displays Seaglider Prototype for the First Time During CoMotion Miami

/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- REGENT, the venture-backed aerospace and maritime company, unveiled a prototype of the company's all-electric seaglider for the first...

www.prweb.com

Related to that,

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

2025 looks pretty optimistic, to put it mildly. Certification of an aircraft would take longer than that. However, supposedly...

Ocean Flyer had begun discussions with Maritime New Zealand which was likely to be the safety regulator for seagliders rather than the Civil Aviation Authority, he said.

Caveats: "begun discussions" doesn't mean much, the reporter has a good CV but his areas are business and technology (that is, gadgets, not aviation).

At first glance, ekranoplans would make a lot of sense in New Zealand - most of the population is in coastal cities and there's be a demand for fast, flexible, and frequent transport across the strait between the two major islands as well around the Auckland area.

 

[alberchico]

Considering the large number of orders this aircraft has received,

Not all 'orders' are orders...

Good point, forgot about that. Based on what I've read just now the Eve project has a lot of Letters of Intent but no real firm orders.

 

[alberchico]

Not sure if it qualifies as an airplane, but there is the Regent seaglider, an all electric WIG craft that was presented recently. According to the press release, they already have 334 on order.

REGENT Publicly Displays Seaglider Prototype for the First Time During CoMotion Miami

/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- REGENT, the venture-backed aerospace and maritime company, unveiled a prototype of the company's all-electric seaglider for the first...

www.prweb.com

Related to that,

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

2025 looks pretty optimistic, to put it mildly. Certification of an aircraft would take longer than that. However, supposedly...

Ocean Flyer had begun discussions with Maritime New Zealand which was likely to be the safety regulator for seagliders rather than the Civil Aviation Authority, he said.

Caveats: "begun discussions" doesn't mean much, the reporter has a good CV but his areas are business and technology (that is, gadgets, not aviation).

At first glance, ekranoplans would make a lot of sense in New Zealand - most of the population is in coastal cities and there's be a demand for fast, flexible, and frequent transport across the strait between the two major islands as well around the Auckland area.

I'll be honest, I got excited when I saw that image of the prototype but then I realized it was just a small radio controlled sub-scale model. They have a long way to go.

"They are being designed to carry up to 100 passengers at speeds of up to 540 kilometres-an-hour, "

The battery tech to carry that many people on an electric craft at that speed for any meaningful distance is just not there yet.

 

[alberchico]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1111314689932308480

View: https://twitter.com/hervepmorvan/status/1111314689932308480


A bit old but an interesting set of images from a presentation given by an ex Boeing engineer who explains what is actually achievable when it comes to designing an electric aircraft. Very interesting that even a basic no frills design that can carry 9 passengers can expect to have a realistic range of only 200nm.

Edit: Found a video of the actual presentation

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZvK4YyoCmg&ab_channel=RoyalAeronauticalSociety

 

[TomcatViP]

There is even some errors. The conversion from lb/hp to kg/kw is wrong.

Then the pictures doesn't highlight the surrealistic mass figures when it comes to empty weight Vs loaded weight and the nbr of passengers.
Example
Eco210: max difference is 1000kg for crew, catering, baggage, fluids and... 9 passengers. Targeted airline: AnorexiAir...

 

[GTX]

Joby makes an extremely quiet VTOL. Its not too much of a stretch to imagine some really savvy defense industry engineers could have done the same at an earlier date...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itP8-3j2UZI

Well worth the re-post here.

 

[TomcatViP]

To be fair, we don't know yet what will be the loaded noise imprint of Joby's design. Neither do they. Probably.

But they certainly know what that should be in approach and final configuration.

 

[alberchico]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ero-1ddAZ8&ab_channel=Pyka

 

[alberchico]

Diamond Predicting 20-Minute Charge For Electric eDA40

Diamond Aircraft says the electrified version of its DA40 single will have up to a 90-minute endurance and charge time of 20 minutes. The company announced on Wednesday it has...

www.avweb.com

This comment sticks out at me: "The 90-minute endurance won’t be achieved immediately but will be possible as battery technology evolves".

It would be nice to know what the exact endurance will be when this thing enters service in 2024, not what they hopefully plan to achieve someday. As the comments in the article point out, taking into account that a typical flight lesson is usually 1 hour, plus the time it takes to fly to and from the practice area, as well as the legally required VFR reserves, 90 minutes endurance is simply not enough. At least for the U.S. market.

I had no idea that EASA actually reduced the required reserves for electric aircraft like the Velis Electro down to just 10 minutes to promote the industry, but so far the FAA is not budging on the 30 minute VFR reserve. The article below that discusses Textron's purchase of Pipistrel discusses the poor endurance of these electric trainers with reserves factored in.

Did Textron Get a Good Deal When It Bought Pipistrel?

For Textron, the move is all about electric aircraft technology, but what did the company really buy?

www.flyingmag.com

 

[alberchico]

EasyJet partners with GKN Aerospace on Hydrogen Power | AIN

European low-fare carrier EasyJet has agreed to support GKN’s H2JET and H2GEAR hydrogen power programs.

www.ainonline.com

GKN Aerospace details progress on H2GEAR hydrogen fuel cell powertrain

Development of 1MW-class propulsion system designed around 19-seat sub-regional aircraft gathers pace ahead of key architecture decisions in 2022.

www.flightglobal.com

With all the money Europe is spending on hydrogen research, we might actually see a small commuter aircraft powered by hydrogen enter service at some point in the future. The article below does a good job discussing the pros and cons of hydrogen and electric powered aircraft.

The Future of Flight: Hydrogen vs Electric Planes

We take a look at two promising technologies to decarbonize our aviation: hydrogen fuel cells or electric power.

interestingengineering.com

 

[Zoo Tycoon]

The article below does a good job discussing the pros and cons of hydrogen and electric powered aircraft.

Sorry to disagree;- the article is widely optimistic, bias and factually incorrect where it suits the narrative- take for example its claims of LiS power density where it claims OXIS energy Ltd are about to deliver at battery at 450Whr/Kg , except OXIS is bankrupt.

”Many of hydrogen’s properties make it safer to use than gasoline, according to some experts”. What … Seriously? Hydrogen inherently leaks, had the widest flammable mixture range (4-74%) of any gas and a minimum ignition energy (0.019mJ) below that of a visible spark. What qualifies these guys to be experts worthy of quoting and why not just tell it as it is?

No mention of the global warming caused by hydrogen infrastructure leakage, which has the potential to be a fundamental hydrogen concept killer.

“Lithium-ion-powered planes are theoretically very well suited for regional flights carrying 30-200 passengers and traveling within around 310 mi (500 km).” Not even close..

“Currently, most of the electric planes on the market today are small……….”duration”.up to around two hours and have a range of at most 300 mi (483 km). Please show me a single commercial available e-plane that can stay aloft today for 2hours with the engine running (sole source of propulsion) or has a range of 300mi? The Alpha is the only one that’s really available on an order basis which has an advertised endurance of 50 mins, others are really gliders where the power is not continuously applied so I’m calling this out as factual incorrect.

It’s poorly researched commentary like this which is miss-directing investors and government research funding.

 

[VTOLicious]

Speaking of the Pipistrel's Alpha Trainer, ICE- vs. E-Version:

Cruise Speed (75%): 108 kts / 85 kts
Endurance: 3.1 h (incl. 30 m reserse) / 1 h (plus reserve)
Range: 324 NM / 75 NM

Best comparison due to same gross weight and aerodynamic layout. That's the current status of technology.

 

[TomcatViP]

And we can see why Pipistrel choose the elementary trainer as its grand entry into the market. Most of the missions are under 1hr and doesn't involves cross country flying.

If I was manager of such school or service, I would do circuits & basic flight with such a/c, switching to their ICE version for the rest of the syllabus.

The advantages are that wear with power changes are null, mass variation is void (early training involves the trainee mastering the trim, something not always easy when you have no clue what a plane is), there are no limitations with the engine (temperature), not much variation in performances (OAT), not much of takeoff checklist, holds on taxi time can be done engine shut-off, engine behavior during stall is next to perfect (spin could then be safely reintroduced) etc...

Once again Pipistrel proves that Brain is still at the center of aerospace design.

Bravo. I hope they are successful also with that one.

 

[yasotay]

Didn't Australia just elect to use Pipistrel's Alpha Trainer, E-Version for it's basic flight trainer?