SUPERFLY

A small city in northern Sweden is home to a flying school for aspiring electric plane pilots.

Just quietly (as silently as an electric engine, perhaps), Sweden has established itself as a sustainable powerhouse, with more than half of the country’s daily power needs supplied by renewable energy.

In the small northern regional centre of Skellefteå, the entire town is powered by renewables – a mix of hydro and wind power, mostly.

Indeed, Skellefteå wears its green credentials proudly, with more than US$100 billion invested in clean tech in the region.

Not only is it home to the 500,000m2 Northvolt battery factory, it also boasts the Green Flight Academy, the world’s first professional flight school to offer training on electric planes.

The school has three Pipistrel Veils Electro micro aircraft, the first electric plane to be approved for use in Europe. The 400kg two seater aircraft can be wheeled out by hand, and has been designed to be as aerodynamic as possible. Alas, its range is limited to only 45 minutes.

Skellefteå and surrounds are growing rapidly, but without the ground transport to link the region together. It’s thought commercial electrical transportation might provide part of the solution.

“You have to think in a different way, and manage your energy,” he explains. “The range is not the same. But when it comes to handling, it flies exactly the same as any other aeroplane.” ■

Vote For The

1 A Solution That Really Stacks Up

Chris spotted this beauty in Toowoomba, and couldn’t walk away without a quick photo. Graham says: While there may be a good reason to stack air conditioners to resolve space issues, I am sure this installation would not meet manufacturers’ requirements, and may therefore put warranty at risk!

2 Space Invaders

“How’s this for pipe support?” says Craig, who found this at a site in Wollongong.

“Gotta give it nine out of 10 for ingenuity!”

Graham says: I was using some wire ties in the garden today; they are a great invention and have changed our world. But that doesn’t make them the solution for everything, and they are unlikely to last the requirements of the installation!

3 Put Down That Weapon

Another Craig, this time from Melbourne, was called out after hours when a customer tried defrosting an evap coil with an ice pick!

“Quick repair job and up and running,” says Craig. Graham says: Why do people continue to believe that brute force and ignorance are adequate for defrosting coils? So, who is responsible for the discharge of refrigerant to the atmosphere?

4 LET’S PARK THAT IDEA

“Customer was complaining of water in the garage of their newly built house,” says Neil from Toowoomba. “Rocked up and found this.”

Graham says: Apart from the obvious condensate drainage issues. it does appear that airflow over the “outdoor” coil would be severely restricted.

5 THE KEY TO GOOD FAULT‑FINDING

Daniel in WA replaced an old unit tripping the circuit breaker.

“Turns out the client was storing her spare house key inside the isolator,” he says.

Graham says: Well found, often tricky to pick something like this. I don’t suppose the culprit was an electrician, as I can’t imagine any old punter thinking of an isolator as a hiding place.

Additional comments and observations provided by Graham Boyle, L.AIRAH, portfolio manager, heavy automotive and refrigeration at South Metropolitan TAFE. Please note that the comments are provided on the basis of the photos only and should be read with this in mind – not all issues or solutions are apparent from a 2D image.

HAVE

YOU COME ACROSS SOMETHING SCARY, UGLY OR JUST PLAIN FUNNY?

If your entry is deemed the winner, a 700ml bottle of Jim Beam will be on its way to your door. Please include a postal address with your entry. Entrants must be 18 or over. Send your hi res (>500KB) photos to Editor, Mark Vender at mark.vender@airah.org.au