Seattle’s Museum of Flight on Boeing Field will host a one-day event, Powering Imagination, an electric flight symposium organized by Erik Lindbergh, grandson of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh.
Presentations will be held in the William M. Allen Theater at the Museum, starting at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 28 and ending at 5:00 p.m. Admission is free, but RSVP to cwilcox@museumofflight.org to guarantee a seat.
NASA’s LEAPTech, powered by 20 Joby motors, will offer the ultimate in multi-motor safety and performance
Topics include an update on the NASA LEAPTech aircraft being designed and built by Joby Aviation and powered by Joby motors. This 20-motor (!) aircraft will achieve a high coefficient of lift from the motors that distribute thrust over the entire span.
Eric Lindbergh will talk about the Quiet Flight Initiative, a multi-pronged approach to designing and crafting airplanes quiet enough to be flown over national parks, areas now off-limits to noisy overflights. This is one facet of Powering Imagination, the other two Electric Flight and Alternative Fuels.
Erik promises video updates from Europe and an electric aircraft Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education challenge.
Speakers include:
- Erik Lindbergh, who will explain his vision of the future of quiet electric flight and of bringing aviation to America’s youth.
- Paul Peterson, CEO of Volta Volare, will describe his hybrid high-performance aircraft.
- Mike Friend, retired Technology Director and leader of Boeing’s fuel cell aircraft program, will reflect on how the introduction of electric propulsion can change some of the fundamentals of future powered flight.
- George Bye, CEO of Aero Electric Aircraft Corporation will explain the challenges of bringing a two-seat electric airplane to the training market.
- Karl Young, battery expert and CEO of Extreme Capacitors, will share insights into storing electricity and keeping it light.
- Dean Sigler, CAFE Foundation Blogmeister, will detail ideas about electric ultralight aircraft and sub-ultralight machines such as human-powered aircraft.
- Elana Slagle, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, will explain the AIAA Electric Aircraft Cargo Challenge, a program to involve 9th through 12th graders in aviation.
Rendering of electric motorglider cruising quietly above the Grand Canyon. Embry Riddle students are helping with the implementation of this grand idea
- Eric Bartsch, co-founder of Powering Imagination, will expand on the direction and focus of the program. Eric holds 19 patents and has recently been involved in the development, marketing, and business management of one of the leading programs in manned electric flight.
Following the presentations, attendees will have an opportunity to meet with the presenters.
Other presentations planned for the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-in, AirVenture 2015, and additional venues show that the interest in electric aircraft is increasing, and with the willingness of industry leaders to share their knowledge, becoming a real presence in the aviation world.
Comments 1
Thank you again for helping spread the word of this event. It was a terrific symposium! I had expected to hear quite a bit of what has already been covered but was surprised and fascinated that it was plenty of new information and very well presented. This is truly cutting edge and well worth the trip. Seeing what was available in the fantastic Museum of Flight has put it on my short list of things to get to very soon as well!
This whole field reminds me greatly of the Homebrew Computer Club days of the mid 1970s and the excitement of the nascent personal computer industry. We knew we were onto something earth shaking but the actual machines were really not useful yet but glorified hobbies. Of course, that changed quickly! It’s obvious that the electric aircraft field is in a similar position today. Thank you for all your fine work in spreading the knowledge, excitement and, yes, downright joy this all invokes.
Needless to say, it was wonderful to get to meet you and so many others – best to you all!