How Beat The High Cost Of Fuel: The ElectraFlyer-C

On Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:29:03 GMT, Frank Olson
wrote in
z1K7k.22157$kx.14483@pd7urf3no:

I'm waiting for the twin version. :-)

It looks as though development is planned to continue:


http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#198151
Fishman has about six flights on his ElectraFlyer-C. With real-world
experience behind him, plus calculations in front of him, Fishman
believes he may have in this aircraft a single-place experimental that
can fly at about 70 mph for up to one hour on batteries alone --
provided the pilot chooses to land with a half hour's power in
reserve. Maximum endurance under power (calculated, and to be proven
by further flight testing) is expected to be near 90 minutes. Fuel
cost for that flight? Less than 75 cents. The aircraft is scheduled to
be front and center at AirVenture Oshkosh this year, but Fishman told
AVweb last week that his eyes are on a bigger prize -- a larger, more
powerful, electric LSA.

Fishman's goals include plans to offer a 40-hp electric motor, plus a
controller and battery solution for use in highly efficient light
sport aircraft ... pending approval of and standards for electric
motors in LSAs. He's currently seeking sponsors, and the manufacturer
of a highly efficient, very lightweight airframe with which to
partner. Until then, expect Fishman's ElectraFlyer-C to be on display
this year at the epicenter of AirVenture Oshkosh -- AeroShell Square.
....
As it is, Fishman's ElectraFlyer-C is the pairing of his 29-pound,
18-hp electric motor and regenerative-braking-capable controller
package with two lithium polymer battery packs (that together weigh 78
pounds), adapted to an airframe that began life as a Moni motorglider.
The Moni is a highly efficient all-aluminum (and discontinued) design
with an 18:1 glide ratio and a 27.5-foot wingspan. Fishman says his
highly modified version, registered as the ElectraFlyer-C, weighs in
at just under 380 pounds with "full fuel," offers a confirmed
60-percent increase in thrust over the Moni, has made engine
reliability a non-issue and practically eliminates vibration and
engine noise. By AirVenture, Fishman believes the ElectraFlyer-C will
have proven it can climb at better than 500 fpm, cruise at 70 mph,
stall at 45, and fly under power for approximately 90 minutes (or 60
minutes if landing with the equivalent of a legal day VFR fuel
reserve). A portable 110-volt charger can refill the tanks (as it
were) in about six hours and more powerful chargers (220 volts) can do
the job faster (two hours) where suitable outlets are available.

NOTE: According to Fishman, following the first test flight, pilot Joe
Bennis' first words were, "I want one." And after speaking with
Fishman last week, it seems one person making the trip to Oshkosh this
year just might have that option. See also
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2722498...55156982/show/