Electric aircraft

This is not science fiction. We have all seen electric cars by now. We know that the major car manufacturers are all going for electric cars. It means that the technology is maturing. Not only that, it is now possible to make electric cars as a normal business, a normal production. It is of course also about money (it always is). Electric motors are cheaper and easier to manufacture, but the battery developments have been the limiting factor. Not anymore! Oh yes: Norway has set a goal of all smaller commuter aircraft (up to 100 passengers) must be electric aircraft by 2040. The following is gleaned from BBC and from Wiki.

Let us look at the battery. It is true that batteries are improving by the hour, but there is a long way to go. First of all, a battery must provide enough power to get the aircraft off

the ground. Then we have the challenge of range. If all the power has been used to get going, and there is nothing left for flying, it is pretty useless.

There is a 45:1 ratio between the best lithium-ion battery and a typical jet fuel. In essence, jet fuel is still more efficient. Will it always be like this? Absolutely not. The little thing is that electric motors are more efficient (baked into the 45:1 ratio above).

Tesla is on the forefront of battery developments. That is probably where we should look for the battery.

Now we are getting to the propeller and the rest of the propulsion system. Electric motors are rather simple. They are also lightweight compared to a jet engine or a internal combustion engine. The engineering costs and the manufacture costs are far less.

… and that means we are back to the real issue: money! If a commuter aircraft is required to carry 50 passengers not more than some 200300 km we have a business case within a reasonable time frame.

Stats to support this: 45% of air routes fall within its 1,050 km range at 482 km/h, or 55% of airline flights according to Flightglobal’s Cirium data..

Electric aircraft - the future is already here

What do we see of actual production electric aircraft? Very few – for now.

Eviation Alice:

This is a real aircraft – soon. It caters for 9 passengers and 2 crew. It has three propellers (2 at the wing tips and one in the back). Insofar as electric motors are simpler, the fuselage and the seating is now vastly different. It just looks good!

Zunum Aero:

This is probably the typical start-up. Few people, no money but lots of dedication.

It is a more traditional aircraft in many ways. It looks like a normal little airliner, with the engines in the back. However, these are not jet engines. These are ducted fans (like a propeller inside a casing!). These are powered by a battery pack but augmented by a traditional gas turbine. This turbine generates electricity, not propulsion. It was envisioned that the gas turbine would be swopped out for a better battery pack as these will becoming available. Unfortunately, this venture failed due to lack of funding. But they will be back!

Electric aircraft - the future is already here

This is a typical small commuter plane. It seats 19 passengers in its initial configuration. It is coming from Sweden and it is really representing a new way of thinking.

Why do they believe they can have an up on the ‘big ones’? It is about consumers as well. The founder (Forslund) states that they can “compete on price, convenience, community noise and climate impact”. This is important! As consumers are interested in minimising climate impact, this may attract more people who wants to be responsible consumers.

Price? Money! This might be a cheaper commuter plane that the traditional jet-powered ones.

Convenience is a factor. As Forslund explains, the airline industry has operated with big airports (far outside the main city) where people had to travel to get onboard the flight to their destination.

Here we have a commuter plane which can land on the typical municipal airport around the world (landing strip about 600 – 800 m). These are located all over and are typically very close to city centres.

In essence: you go to the small airstrip, get on this small aircraft and go to where you want to go. No more changing flights or traveling to the airport.

This is convenient and that might win the day – because the aircraft are basically there now!

Let me quickly add to my bio as you may have seen it under contributors. I have been writing for Hola MaHigh-School for some time now. The most significant part is that I have been published! My first book “From an empty pride to a full price” is out there. I am an author in my own right.

Now it is time for book number 2 – as other successful writers do.

This one is about what happens when our world comes tumbling down. When the innocence of a good upbringing turns into ashes.

Here we have a young woman where everything is going fine. Childhood has been good and life is smiling at her. Then the horrible day when her mother has a stroke and is admitted to hospital. When her brother comes to fetch her from school.

Now the train journey with so many happy memories are a painful thing for her. And she knows that life is going to change. Little does she know how much, little does she know that nothing will ever be the same.

Train station to 213 Forever Street

Marcia Ramodike

Yes, it is a bit of a journey into despair, but trust me. There is always a silver lining. Somehow we do get out on the other side.

(it has got all the sentiments I talk about) Her journey takes her through despair into being a stronger person, but with scars from the journey. Those type of scars we all will get in life. And no, it is not all my own story, but I do have scars myself.