Electric Plane
The Takeoff of an Electric Plane in France
May 21, 2008
World First in France: The Takeoff of an Electric Plane
on December 23, 2007
****Association for the Promotion of Electrically Powered Aircraft
| It is a world first, the | APAME | , | , has achieved the first flight of the ELECTRA F-WMDJ airplane, equipped with a 25 hp electric motor and Lithium-Polymer batteries. | This first flight took place on December 23rd at the Aspres sur Buëch airfield in the Hautes-Alpes. During a 48-minute flight, the electric airplane covered 50 km in a closed circuit. | This exceptional experience in the recreational aviation sector offers an unprecedented alternative to current internal combustion engines for aircraft requiring a power of 15 to 50 hp. | Aircraft specifications | : | Single-seater | Wingspan: 9 m | Length: 7 m | Empty weight without batteries: 134 kg | Maximum takeoff weight: 265 kg | Cruising speed: 90 km/h | Gliding ratio: 13 | Wooden and fabric construction | Electric propulsion system specifications | : | Industrial "brush" type DC motor of 18 kW (25 hp) | Power electronics specifically developed for this use | Lithium-Polymer batteries (total weight: 47 kg) | ARPLAST ground adjustable pitch propeller adapted to this propulsion | Instrument panel, power control, motor mount, motor flange, etc. specifically developed and manufactured for this aircraft | About APAME | Association recently founded in 2007 under the presidency of Anne LAVRAND, APAME aims to promote the design, construction and use of electrically powered aircraft. It had an ambitious project to develop a small electric airplane. In August, APAME had already made a ULM ( | ) "fly silently". | Contact APAME | Tel: 04 92 57 99 40 | Fax: 04 92 57 99 41 | Website: |
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| It is a world first, the | APAME | , | , has achieved the first flight of the ELECTRA F-WMDJ airplane, equipped with a 25 hp electric motor and Lithium-Polymer batteries. | This first flight took place on December 23rd at the Aspres sur Buëch airfield in the Hautes-Alpes. During a 48-minute flight, the electric airplane covered 50 km in a closed circuit. | This exceptional experience in the recreational aviation sector offers an unprecedented alternative to current internal combustion engines for aircraft requiring a power of 15 to 50 hp. | Aircraft specifications | : | Single-seater | Wingspan: 9 m | Length: 7 m | Empty weight without batteries: 134 kg | Maximum takeoff weight: 265 kg | Cruising speed: 90 km/h | Gliding ratio: 13 | Wooden and fabric construction | Electric propulsion system specifications | : | Industrial "brush" type DC motor of 18 kW (25 hp) | Power electronics specifically developed for this use | Lithium-Polymer batteries (total weight: 47 kg) | ARPLAST ground adjustable pitch propeller adapted to this propulsion | Instrument panel, power control, motor mount, motor flange, etc. specifically developed and manufactured for this aircraft | About APAME | Association recently founded in 2007 under the presidency of Anne LAVRAND, APAME aims to promote the design, construction and use of electrically powered aircraft. It had an ambitious project to develop a small electric airplane. In August, APAME had already made a ULM ( | ) "fly silently". | Contact APAME | Tel: 04 92 57 99 40 | Fax: 04 92 57 99 41 | Website: |
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In China, electric bicycles are abundant, just in Beijing. They are very affordable, which is not the case in France:
**Electric Bicycle Gitane G-bike **
| Battery: Panasonic Lithium-Ion | Capacity: 8 Ah 26v | Range: 50 to 70 km; | 3 levels of assistance | Charging time: 3 hours | Motor: in the crank, 180w | Frame: city aluminum; | One size 45 cm | Fork: steel | Seat: Kinetic | Wheels: 26'' aluminum | Brakes: V-brake front and rear | Gears: Nexus 3 with automatic shifting | Tires: 26 x 1.75 | Dimensions: 175 x 65 cm | Weight: 22 kg |
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I found an ad http://www.avem.fr/index.php?page=occasions_details&id=75 where this machine is sold second-hand, in new condition for 1350 euros. In China, the bicycle battery is removable. The user is therefore used to taking it out of its housing when returning from work, and charging it at home. Same at his workplace. This removable battery feature increases the vehicle's range (which is anyway between 50 and 70 kilometers depending on the model). When considering the ideal electric vehicle, several problems arise. It would be good if the vehicle were two-seater and could be used for shopping. What we forget, compared to small cars like the Smart, is that the electric vehicle is * completely non-polluting * and can therefore enter shopping malls, use underground corridors, go... anywhere. We could even consider integrating the system into intercity transport.
It would not pose any problems to equip it with two different propulsion modes, a thermal engine propulsion system serving as a backup. This is what I personally would recommend, inspired by Chinese motorized tricycles:
**The Two-seater Electric Tricycle **
This two-seater tricycle (inspired by its Chinese version) is narrow and not bulky. The body (in China made of light alloy and plexiglass) is partially removable. The battery is larger for a simple electric bicycle, but it has a removable element that the user can carry anywhere to charge it. It is possible to plan for sockets on charging stations or in parking areas.