Czech Republic Flies Electric Sportplane

Dean Sigler Electric Powerplants, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

Sold in America as the SportStar Light Sport Aircraft (LSA), the Czech all-metal two-seater has a 28 foot, 5 inch wingspan, a maximum takeoff weight of 1,320 pounds typical of LSAs, and is normally powered by a Rotax four-cylinder engine. The latest version of this airplane, though, took flight in Kunovice, Czech Republic on March 28, powered by a Rotex motor.  The SportStar EPOS (Electric POwered Small Aircraft) is derived from Evektor’s RTC, and carries a 50 kilowatt (67 horsepower) RE X90-7 motor made by Rotex Electric, which crafts everything from small model aircraft motors to (as shown on their web site) 40 kilowatt (53.6 hp) outrunner-appearing motors for electric vehicle use.  The X90 designation would seem to indicate a larger, more powerful model, although that model is not shown on the Rotex web site.  For possible interpolation, the displayed 40 kW model weighs only 7.5 kilograms (16.5 pounds), a healthy power-to-weight ratio.  Their range of motors is slated for …