Pipistrel leads MAHEPA – European hybrid research

Dean Sigler Hybrid Aircraft, Hydrogen Fuel, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

Aviation Week’s Graham Warwick reports, “Europe plans to develop and test modular hybrid-electric propulsion technology using light aircraft as testbeds, but it is also studying whether the system can be scaled up to power 19- and 70-seat commercial aircraft.  The MAHEPA Program intends to bring cleaner skies to Europe. Pipistrel, the Slovenian winner of NASA’s Green Flight Challenge in 2011, leads the 9 million euro ($10.4 million) program.  Modular Hybrid Electric Propulsion Architecture (MAHEPA), funded as part of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research program, will use real flight data to recommend how to reduce aviation carbon emissions 70-percent by 2050. Pipistrel will supply two well-tested aircraft for HAHEPA’s continued investigation of lowering emissions and expanding performance capabilities.  First, its …

Pipistrel’s Tine Tomazic Tours West Coast for eVTOL

Dean Sigler Sky Taxis, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

Visiting Los Angeles for UBER’s second Annual Elevate Summit on May 8, Tine Tomazic and Igor Perkon presented Pipistrel’s new electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) concept.  As described in their press release, Pipistrel’s new design “utilizes dedicated propulsion systems for both cruising and vertical lift and embraces an aircraft styled family approach of eVTOL able to carry between 2 to 6 passengers.” Mark Moore, UBER’s Director of Engineering, attempted to find out about the “sauce” that helps make Pipistrel’s eVTOL concept unique, but was deflected by Tine’s response that the “airplane” (important distinction) would be a “cruise plus lift” machine, emphasizing speed of transit, but relying on electric power to provide vertical lift.  He also noted that propulsion would …