Electric Aircraft. Are there any available to the general public?

Question

I know there have been huge advances in Alternative fueled vehicles and will probbably be getting an Electric Boat, but what about small aircraft for recreation? Like an ultralight or a Powered Parachute or even a glider? I'm not looking for 8 hour flights, just a simple 2 hour putting around flight, that is eco friendly. I know electrics have a long way to go to make the same power and run time of fossil fuels, but has this gap been bridged with recreational aircraft?

Answer 1

Well Kasey should have done a simple Yahoo search before shooting off his mouth.
http://www.pilotjournal.com/content/2003/septoct/all_electric.html

I knew there were electric powered planes. The ones I have seen are more like a glider with a small engine. They only use the engine while in flight to extend their time aloft.
But the above link shows a nice private aircraft that is all electric and there are several more links with other aircraft.

So they are on the way. Problem is the price.

Answer 2

The answer to that is "not even close". Even with current advances there's not enough current to REALLY drive a motor for extended periods. Modern electric car advances actually raises the voltage to way higher than what you and I are comfortable with in order to be more efficient, which decreases the current pulled. They also use four independent motors and regen braking, plus a lot of computer wizardry to coordinate the power usage. That doesn't work as well on a plane, as you can't simply change one large propeller to 4 smaller propellers and expect the efficiency to improve.

When an aircraft's design goal is to be as LIGHT as possible, electric propulsion is simply UNFEASIBLE with current technology. The energy storage problem is simply too great. In an ultralight or autogyro fuel is almost minuscule amount of total weight. Can't say the same for electric, and unlike gas engine, the plane doesn't get lighter as it burns off more gas.

For model aircrafts, maybe. For something that actually carries a payload, no way (yet).

EDIT: Shovelkicker should have READ the article he cited. The "All electric" does NOT refer to the engine. All electric in this case refers to no vacuum pumps and other non-electrical mechanics. Most gauges are replaced with color MFDs. In fact, just the first paragraph stated VERY CLEARLY: "build a 200-plus mph, normally aspirated, fixed-gear, four-place airplane and certify it. "

Why would an ELECTRIC motor need to be "normally aspirated", heh? It's clearly referring to an internal combustion engine.

Answer 3

There are a FEW (very few) people attempting small electric powered single seat aircraft.

The development of Lithium polymer batteries and brushless motor controllers used in RC models has led to the ability to apply these to larger aircraft. Light weight, high power density batteries and very efficient motors.

There's also been advances in solar cell technology. Modern thin film flexible solar cells could cover the top surface of the aircraft's wings, collecting energy to store int he batteries for take-off and climb and sized to match power demand durring daylight cruise.

Its still a long way from being practical NOW, but a battery-solar powered aircraft may be in commercial use sooner than many people think. I estimate 20 years and I may be pessimistic.

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Edit : addition

I currently fly a radio controlled model powered by brushless electric power system using LiPo batteries. 8 lb model (including the batteries) 68 inch wingspan capable of 70 mph level flight and with enough power to hold it in my hand, point the nose up and it will accellerate straight up.

Answer 4

No there are no electric powered aircraft available. Shovelkicker is an idiot.