Can Aircraft Be Far Behind

On Tue, 09 Jan 2007 19:05:46 GMT, Larry Dighera wrote:

On 9 Jan 2007 10:28:29 -0800, wrote in
. com:

Actually, aircraft (specifically motor gliders) are far ahead!

See: http://www.nadler.com/public/Antares.html

It might take a little while before the power efficiency of batteries
equals the needs of a useful airplane...

Kirk
66

Yes. I've been following the evolution of the Antares 20E 20-meter
Electric Self-Launch Motor-Glider over the years. The Antares 20E
uses SAFT VL41M Li-Ion cells, much like the Tesla roadster. But
lithium-polymer batteries are superior.

There is little doubt, that electric drive vehicles will supplant
internal combustion engines just as electric motors replaced steam
powered locomotives. It's just a matter of time.

Just a bit misleading, Larry. Electric motors alone did not replace steam
powered locomotives, diesel-electric motor-generators did. The actual power
generation comes from a bank of diesel engines, turning generators, which
supply the electric current to the wheels. No batteries involved!!!.


Unfortunately, it seems that most innovative, breakthrough technology
seems to occur outside the US these days:
http://www.gizmag.com/go/6104/1/
http://www.pmlflightlink.com/archive/news_mini.html

There is little doubt, that electric drive vehicles will supplant
internal combustion engines just as electric motors replaced steam
powered locomotives. It's just a matter of time.

Just a bit misleading, Larry. Electric motors alone did not replace steam
powered locomotives, diesel-electric motor-generators did. The actual
power
generation comes from a bank of diesel engines, turning generators, which
supply the electric current to the wheels. No batteries involved!!!.

Don't forget that weight is an advantage for a railway locomotive.

They need a lot of pulling power at very low speeds and they need a
reasonably high maximum speed, but acceleration at medium speeds is trivial
for them. (In other words, they don't need to accelerate and merge only an
expressway and they don't need "passing power" on a two lane road.)

However, I won't hold my breath waiting for a light enough power package for
typical light aircraft.

Peter