e-Genius Extends Its Range

Dean Sigler Diesel Powerplants, Electric Powerplants, GFC 1 Comment

Shown at the E-Flight Expo at Friedrichshafen’s Aero 2015, Stuttgart University’s e-Genius had an aerodynamic-looking pod next to one wing, containing an ENGIRO range extender consisting of a Wankel-type engine and a generator.  The unit could, as its name implies, help e-Genius go for new records to add to its already significant collection. Bill Lofton at EV Hangar has detailed the extender, now associated with the e-Genius and in a larger variant on the Equator P2 amphibian being built in Norway by Tomas Broedreskift. Equator’s web site describes its power system: “The hybrid propulsion system being developed by Equator is called EHPS (Equator Hybrid Propulsion System). The engine specific project is being co-funded by Transnova and the company doing the development work with us on this is ENGIRO. We will design a custom engine and generator specified specifically for the P2. Power out in the prop is 100kW (approx. 130HP) and the generator will produce 57-60kW of power charging the batteries. The combustion …

The Ypselon – Beauty Two Years in the Future

Dean Sigler Electric Powerplants, Sustainable Aviation 2 Comments

Dan Johnson, reporting on his web site, said that on seeing this lovely display item at the E-Flight Expo at Aero 2015, he “was tempted to pass by as merely a concept that might go nowhere.”  His talk with the designer, airline pilot David De Ridder, convinced him that this project has funding and substance behind it. Don’t send a deposit check just yet.  De Ridder told Johnson that the development of the aircraft should be finished by 2017 and kits should be available by 2019.  In the meantime, the project’s web site provides a tantalizing vision of what could be in electric light sport aircraft. Although the site is an alluring demonstration of computer graphics and slick word play, the numbers in the specifications section (subject to change without notice), are something that might be accountable, and don’t seem unduly optimistic, given current technology.  A maximum cruising speed of 173 knots (199 mph) and economical cruising speed of 130 …