Elfy "Noemi": an electric powered seaplane from Norway

[Stargazer]

​

Of all the current flying boat and amphibian projects in the works across the world, this one is the most likely to become a reality in the very near future. During a press event in Copenhagen on 24 September, Norway’s Elfly announced that Nordic Seaplanes, Europe’s only scheduled seaplane operator, will be the launch customer for its Noemi (meaning ‘no emissions’) electric aircraft with an order for five and an option for ten more. Noemi is envisaged as a nine-seat electric powered seaplane to capitalise on ‘coastal air mobility.’ It will be passenger-ready in 2030.​

More information on the company' official website:
https://el-fly.no/electric-seaplanes/

 

[Apophenia]

A very cool project. And, as with the HYNAERO Frégate-F100 waterbomber you posted, a sort of Canadian connection here too. Harbour Air moving on the eBeaver should have been Viking's cue to create a 'eTwotter' powered by similar magniX 'electric propulsion units'. But no ...

Prior to the MoU being signed for the Nordic Seaplanes Copenhagen-to-Aarhus route, Elfly's Lithun was complaining that potential investors couldn't really understand what Elfly was trying to do with this flying boat. He did mention 'soft funding' (grants?) from Oslo and further support from the government of Gotland.

Elfly is also getting development funding from Norges forskningsråd (the Research Council). Still, with the horse-choking amounts of dosh in Norway's sovereign wealth fund, I'm surprised that they haven't coughed up to support an alternative clean-energy initiative like Noemi ... unless that is what that 'soft funding' reference meant.

Nordic Seaplanes to become first operator of Elfly’s ‘Noemi’ aircraft | LARA

Elfly Group, developers of the all-electric seaplane, Noemi, has announced a partnership with Denmark’s Nordic Seaplanes.

www.laranews.net

Norwegian start-up Elfly slows development of electric seaplane amid investment dry spell

Chief executive Eric Lithun describes Elfly's difficulty in securing enough cash to push the company's all-electric Noemi seaplane over remaining development and certification hurdles.

www.flightglobal.com

Gotland Sweden Backs "Noemi" Electric Seaplane for Zero-Emission Flights - CleanTechnica

From sea to sky, Elfly Group, we’re building the future of coastal mobility through the Noemi, the world’s first fully electric seaplane.

cleantechnica.com

 

[riggerrob]

Is that door large enough to accept the LD3 baggage containers that are increasing in popularity among the over-night courier business?

I suspect that the second iteration will get larger tip-floats. ... just the musings of an eyeball engineer.

 

[Foo Fighter]

It used to be a 'thing' that wing floats retracted, is this seen as a positive or negative these days?

 

[Stargazer]

It used to be a 'thing' that wing floats retracted, is this seen as a positive or negative these days?

Why should it be seen as something negative? Underslung floats add drag, so if you can retract them in flight, all the better, right? What were the arguments of the anti-retraction folks?

 

[Apophenia]

Is that door large enough to accept the LD3 baggage containers that are increasing in popularity among the over-night courier business?

I seriously doubt it. I haven't seen dimensions for the Noemi but this is a 13 passenger aircraft - so, 65% the capacity of a Twin Otter. And the standard cargo door on a DHC-6 (1.42 x 1.27 m) is far too small for an LD3 (1.56 x 1.53 x 1.63 m).

 

[Joint Soviet Fighter]

Is Kristi getting her own airline?

 

[Foo Fighter]

Why should it be seen as something negative? Underslung floats add drag, so if you can retract them in flight, all the better, right? What were the arguments of the anti-retraction folks?

I think that some consider the additional weight and complexity less valuable. ISTR the Catalina has retracts and a few others. Cannot recall any others actually flying now though.