The Villiger Traveler – A Stunning Resemblance

Dean Sigler Batteries, Biofuels, Electric Aircraft Components, Electric Powerplants, Hybrid Aircraft, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

The Villiger Traveler is a Swiss aircraft that looks remarkably like the SmartFlyer SF-1 featured in our last posting.  Despite the similar styling, the Traveler has a unique history of its own, and a few stable mates that reflect its careful engineering. The Traveler 230 First introduced in 2017, the Traveler was derived from the TR230, a Cessna-like craft designed with assistance from Calin Cologan and others.  The conventional aircraft, based on other works from this group, was probably Swiss precise in its manufacture. But a different approach and less conventional look were on their way. Same Name, Different Approach Possibly taking the same approach as that taken by the SmartFlyer group, the Villiger team designed a similar appearing airplane, but with two initial variants that gave them some flexibility in choosing components. Carrying on e-Genius’ Platform By 2019, the Villiger craft was probably set in plastic, so to speak.  Such designs have to be “dialed in” early, and because …

Swiss Smartflyer – An Advanced Design

Dean Sigler Announcements, Batteries, Electric Aircraft Components, Electric Aircraft Materials, Electric Powerplants, Fuel Cells, GFC, Hybrid Aircraft, hydrogen, Hydrogen Fuel, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

The Swiss Smartflyer SF-1 is an advanced design showing links to the second-place finisher in the 2011 Green Flight Challenge. Launching an Airplane and an Event The creators of the Smartflyer were intent on developing a different kind of aircraft when they started in 2015.  Their hybrid aircraft had three different modes of power from the beginning: pure electric power from batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, and a Rotax engine driving a generator that powers the motor’s batteries. They’ve retained those three configurations to this day, obviously modifying or upgrading them as technology changed.  That’s part of the beauty of electric aircraft.  Motors, components and batteries keep improving, and are easy to add or change. In pure electric version, batteries fill nose, promise 2.5 hours of flight. The overall design is close to that of the original, with three replaceable power sources available for the long nose and a high-mounted propeller on the vertical tail.  That “look” came from Dipl-Ing. Rudolf …

Heart Aerospace and Its ES-30 – Heartier

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Heart Aerospace has rolled out its ES-30, a larger, more capacious version of the original ES-19.  As the two designations suggest, the earlier ES-19 was to hold 19 passengers while the ES-30 will haul 30.  The expanded size and capability are understandable.  The crew required to carry 19 can fly 30 just as easily, with lower costs per passenger – of vital interest to regional carriers. Heart Aerospace, founded in 2019, has accomplished a lot in five years.  Anders and Klara Forslund co-founded the firm with, “The aim of electrifying short-haul regional aviation.”  They express this in their mission statement.  “Heart Aerospace has a clear mission. We work to decarbonize and democratize air travel. We believe in electrification. Not only to bring down emissions and build a sustainable future, but to make flying accessible for the many, around the world.” This 2022 introduction of the ES-30 shows the formidable range of companies willing to invest in this new technology and …

Two Electric Approaches to Coastal Waterways

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Two electric approaches to providing seaside flight come from cold and warm climates and from elevations close to sea level to topping Norwegian fjords.  Both rely on electric power to carry up to 12 passengers between seaside destinations. Regent Seaglider If the Wall Street Journal can overcome its skepticism and marvel at the $7 billion in letters of intent or other forms of interest, they might look into what seems to be drawing potential customers.  That may come from the company’s mission, “To drastically reduce the cost and headache of regional transportation between coastal cities.” Skimming the water at up to 180 mph, the Regent Viceroy employs Wing In Ground effect (WIG) aerodynamics to lift it high enough to skim the waves while benefiting from flight in ground effect.  That cushion of air that helps sustain an aircraft on initial takeoff stays with the Viceroy during its entire flight, reducing the power needed and extending the range. With today’s batteries, …

Solar Altitude Record and Tour de France

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Une Homme of Accomplishment Jean Baptiste Loiselet is an accomplished person,  setting a recent ultralight solar altitude record in his own ultralight sailplane. That is only one of his many exploits.  He has been part of a small crew on the remote Kerguelen Islands, between the southern tip of Africa and Australia, and north of Antarctica.  With supply ships only four times a year, Jean Baptiste had to be well organized and resourceful to maintain the equipment necessary for life at the IPEV (French Polar Institute Paul-Émile Victor).  His work with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) required full responsibility for everything from preparing requests for equipment, recruiting a team, and purchasing the needed equipment including ROVs.  Administratively, he wrote operational procedures, managed the site and and remote operations, and created reports and oversaw invoicing.  These became important elements in crafting his own solar aircraft. Beyond his duties on Antarctic expeditions, he works with young people as part of The AJD – …

Cerebral: A Brainier Kind of Battery

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Cerebral, the brainchild of Dr. Lynden Archer—Dean of the School of Engineering at Cornell University, is as the name implies, a smart approach to battery development.  Claimed to be three times more efficient than lithium, much safer with no fire risk, and ten times faster charging, the battery is made of recycled aluminum and graphene.  In fact, materials for the battery come from United States-based waste streams.  Low-grade domestic carbon waste, for example, goes through a “Graphitizer,” a machine “created at the University of California, Riverside’s Mechanical Engineering Department and exclusively optioned by Cerebral Energy.” (Editor’s Note: Forgive the lack of product-related images or videos here.  Your editor could not find an illustration of a graphitizer, for instance, or any research photos or graphs related to this relatively new research area.  We will share any such images as soon as they are available.) The Uncertain Graphite Supply Line This is an important development, since the U. S. imports most of …

Buddhists Using Drones to Clean Everest

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Chinese drone company DJI (Da Jiang Innovations) is working with Buddhist nation Nepal to supply heavy left drones that will help clear the estimated 140 tons of garbage on Mt. Everest.  Perhaps more distressingly, over 300 bodies of climbers are scattered on the mountain. World’s Highest Garbage Dump At least one body has been on the mountain since 1924, but growing incursions of climbers have grown the number of bodies and the amount of debris on the slopes.  DJI reported in June, ”Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, has seen 6,664 successful summits as of 2023. With the increasing number of climbers each year, Everest has also become known as the “world’s highest garbage dump.” According to the Nepal Times, approximately 140 tons of waste have accumulated on Everest over seventy years. This waste includes oxygen bottles, food packaging, human waste, and even the bodies of climbers who perished on the mountain.” Buddhists, who according to a friend who practices …

Autoflight and CATL’s New Relationship

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AutoFlight and battery developer CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., announced “an exclusive strategic investment and cooperation agreement, a relationship valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars.”  Uniting these two technological leaders, the agreement provides developmental cash to AutoFlight and a platform for CATL to expand their electric aviation market. A Trip Across the Yangtze An August 1 flight across the Yangtze River highlighted how the strengths of this new relationship can grow both companies.  Nanjing, an ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, is only one of 29 major cities on either side of the great river.  All face the same transportation difficulties.  The 5.5 kilometer straight-line distance between Nanjing UAV Base and Yuzui Wetland Park, for instance, “requires a 20 kilometer drive that takes 25 minutes. However, an eVTOL aircraft can cover this distance in just five minutes,”  cutting travel time by 80 percent,” according to AutoFlight.  Even worse, holiday travelers around popular tourist destinations can slow traffic by …

The New, Improved Hexa 2

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Started in 2017, Matt Chasen’s Lift Aircraft has been promoting an 18-rotor, single-seat Hexa – now replaced by the new, improved Hexa 2.  Featuring more power, better batteries, improved structure and more refined electronics, the 2 seems like a reflection of the improvements generally available to electric aircraft. According to the company, “HEXA was the first eVTOL(electric Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft to enter production and pay-per-flight operations in the United States. We’ve produced a fleet of 16 aircraft and have showcased them in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. In 2023, we launched the world’s first pay-per-flight eVTOL operations in Austin, Texas, and in 2024 we launched our 25 city U.S. tour.” Because it’s an ultralight, Hexa 2 avoids many of the complexities of certification and that enables more frequent updates and application of improved technologies. Hexa has been demonstrated at multiple air and trade shows, and even provided a ride for news personality Anderson Cooper.  …

MDA 1: a VW Camper for the Skies

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Partners MD Aircraft GmbH, Kasaero GmbH, and Rolls Royce Electrical are crafting a 10-seat electrically-powered MDA 1 airliner.  Intended for the short-haul and regional market, the airplane will provide comfort, economy and safety. In an interview arranged by Karl Kaeser, CEO of Kasaero, your editor spoke with MD’s CEO, Gregor Müller.  Co-CEO Tim Markwald was on another project during this interview. They describe their current project as a Volkswagen Van of the skies.  Like the boxy little “bus” of the 1960s, MDA’s twin-motor aircraft will provide utilitarian, but comfortable transport for people and goods.  Like the VW, everyone will get a window seat. Unlike the old Kombi, the aircraft will climb quickly and efficiently, something difficult with the original vehicle’s 36-horsepower engine and more than two on board.  The MDA 1 is designed for short and sometimes unimproved fields, and is able to land and take off over a 50-foot obstacle in 500 meters (1,640 feet).  Part of this is …