Two Minimal Electric Hang Gliders with Maximal Enjoyment

Dean Sigler Electric Powerplants, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

We’ve seen two electrically-powered paragliders announced in the last few months; a single pilot British homebuilt by Tony Canderton and a tandem unit from Electravia.  A pair of European hang-gliders are also using small electric motors to launch their minimalist frames skyward. Michael Kellermann, well known for his conversion of Briggs & Stratton engines into ultralight powerplants, has designed the Schwarze Elektro Minimum, a hang glider mounting two model aircraft electric motors (looking a lot like Turnigies) for launching from smooth surfaces and elevating its 180 kilogram (396 pound) mass up to 500 meters (1,600 feet). The prototype “will still merit improvement,” with plans for a folding propeller and fairing to smooth airflow around the power system. The Minimum sports two 31 Amp-hour, 26 Volts battery packs which add a mere 14 kilograms to gross weight and allow the two motors to produce 10 kilowatts (13.4 horsepower). La Mouette, a French firm which crafted the hydrogen fuel-cell-powered “trike” that flew …