Maybe we won't need unleaded AvGas after all...

[youtube]http://youtu.be/qfBfZJBQH_I[/youtube]

This is a development of the little electrified Cri-Cri they showed at the Paris air show a few years ago.

I'm a great believer in electric propulsion. Everything is in place today for lightweight transport except the batteries. They're still too heavy. But the electric motors have power to weight ratios not even the most powerful jet engines can touch - about 10hp/kg. Only one moving part, limitless TBO (virtually). It's a game changer. Now all we need is lightweight batteries and it will be game over for combustion engines.

That might happen tomorrow, or never. But most likely within the next 20-30 years.

I hope it happens soon, even if its only recreational, it is such a cost cutter aviation will truly have a renaissance. Minimum batt life has to be at least 4 hours for it to be meaningful at 80 kt. I doubt they can make it go any faster than a C-150 without getting in the shorts on range / endurance.

Energy density is a big obstacle. Problem is, anything with an energy density approaching petroleum products, is rife with other dangers.

Anyone ever see a really big capacitor blow?

I believe the technology is there on the shelf. It won't be used until oil becomes too expensive to pull out of the ground. (For all the conspiracy folks out there).

Batteries are only one issue. Recharging is the other. Hopefully both will be solved in the near future. Oh yeah, then there is FAA certification.

Might never happen then.

Fuel cells could be a great aid and solve the problem of generating the necessary electrical power. We perhaps could have even been there already had our current emperor in chief not eschewed them for wind and solar pipe dreams that have done nothing more than piss our tax dollars away.
Sorry for getting a touch political. I just think it was a terrible mistake and extremely foolish to abandon all the great research strides and progress in fuel cell development over the course of the late Clinton and all the bush years in order to pump all the subsidies into solar. Just stupid.

How about longer, lighter extension cords and leave the heavy batteries out??

Regards, Lew Gage

Tyler:
If you run the numbers the systems efficiency of fuel cells is pretty lousy compared with modern batteries charged by the grid. Plus you've got a very high temperature device to deal with, both safety and materials-wise.
Can be done, but it's a lot more complicated.
Here's how it looked a year and a half ago.


Robin

I would have to check on the efficiency, not sure on that. I think if you do the hard work up front (that is, you have pure hydrogen and oxygen in tanks), then you have a very efficient power generation system. Also, a few fuel cells would be light as compared to a battery bank which of course is quite heavy.

That and you can refuel as fast as pumping avgas (you just fuel with Hydrogen or some hydrocarbon from which the system will crack it). Recharging batts is a long process. Plus, the performance of a fuel cell doesn't degrade after years of use like batteries do. So in a transport electric vehicle, fuel cells make more sense IMO.

What a joke.
No, I like my PT6.

Gotta add to the discussion. Recharging is only ONE of the issues.

Those of you who have opined on this topic, go out and buy a battery operated (LiPo preferably) RC airplane and transmitter (radio). Go fly one a couple dozen times. Then come back to this discussion. Until one "sees" what electric powered (RC) airplanes do in 7 to 8 minutes, you'll have a better understanding of the situation.

Adam said, "it will be game over for combustion engines." Don't think so.

It will eventually, just not with the currently available power sources...

It will eventually, just not with the currently available power sources...