Important Innovations

  The Spirit of Innovation Successfully Flies                                                   Source: Rolls-Royce Jet Zero Emissions Flying Rolls-Royce has successfully flight tested an all-electric plane that recently completed its 15 minute maiden voyage.  The aircraft is called "The Spirit of Innovation" and it is a key piece of technology in Rolls-Royce's journey to "jet zero" otherwise known as zero emissions flying.  Global jet travel is one of the greatest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, which is the primary cause of Climate Change.  The World Wildlife Federation claims that flying is the most polluting form of human activity.  It is becoming increasingly clear that electric aircraft are a critical weapon in global efforts to save the environment from the ravages of Climate Change. More Intensive Test...

  Stunning, Electric Jet Going into Test Flights                                             Source:  Eviation's Alice Alice Invented & Developed by Israel's Eviation Alice is the world's first all-electric regional commuter aircraft, designed to make flying sustainable, affordable and quiet. Israel based Eviation, with US offices in Washington, is preparing to start a series of test flights on this very innovative, electric, luxury jet.  The e-plane can carry 9 passengers and a 2 person crew.  It has a range of 506 miles on a single charge on its huge 820 kWh battery pack.  Alice runs on three electric engines that power three variable pitch electric props in a push formation.  The electric engines and props are on the two wing tips and also on the tail of the plane, which is in a V formation.  The configuration is desi...

  Stunning, Electric Jet From Eviation                                              Source:  Eviation's Alice Alice Invented & Developed by Israel's Eviation Alice is the world's first all-electric regional commuter aircraft, designed to make flying sustainable, affordable and quiet. Israel based Eviation, with US offices in Washington, is preparing to start a series of test flights on this very innovative, electric, luxury jet.  The e-plane can carry 9 passengers and a 2 person crew.  It has a range of 506 miles on a single charge on its huge 820 kWh battery pack.  Alice runs on three electric engines that power three variable pitch electric props in a push formation.  The electric engines and props are on the two wing tips and also on the tail of the plane, which is in a V formation.  The configuration is designed...

  Combination Plane and Drone - Tayln Air                                                  Source:  Talyn Air No Need For an Airport Los Angeles-based Talyn Air has designed a unique e-VTOL, an electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle.  The vehicle is a concept that flies like a plane but launches and lands with the assistance of a large drone. The unmanned drone flies the e-VTOL to its flight level where it releases the e-VTOL once its rotors reach a flight sustaining speed. The drone returns to its base to be recharged for another takeoff or landing.  Talyn Air says this system is so efficient it can travel three to five times farther than most other electric planes. Rocket Science Talyn Air was co-founded by two astronauts, Jamie Gull and Evan Mucasey, who both worked on Crew Dragon and the Falcon 9 rocket at SpaceX....

The X Plane: X-57 Maxwell Source:  NASA image Experimental High Performance Plane  NASA has developed a fully electric  plane, the X-57 Maxwell.  It has twelve small motors and two cruise motors, all on its wings. The aircraft is experimental  but it's performance is outstanding.  NASA has optimized it for high performance cruising.  X-57 is powered by two 400 pound lithium-ion battery packs in the plane's cabin.  The battery packs contain 23 kilowatt hours of power.  This is NASA's first piloted X-Plane in 20 years. Cost Saving, Green Electric Flying The X-57 is a research platform for NASA to develop and optimize e-flying technology.  NASA says  the X-57 provides a 500% increase in high speed cruising  efficiency.  The propulsion system saves $165 per hour compared to a combusion engine.  And, it cuts the hourly operating cost of  ene...

New Prototype Targeting Speed Records Source: Rolls-Royce The ACCEL Rolls-Royce has unveiled an electric plane prototype named ACCEL that it has big plans for this spring.  ACCEL has been going through testing and in the spring of 2020 Rolls-Royce will begin attempts to break the world speed record for electric aircraft.  The ACCEL (accelerate the electrification of flight) is capable of more than 300 miles per hour, according to Rolls-Royce.  The current record set by electric aircraft is 210 miles per hour.  With this prototype, the company's goal is to advance e-plane technology and set new records for performance and speed. Flying with Zero Emissions and the Densest Battery Pack ACCEL has the densest battery pack ever used in an electric aircraft.  It's able to travel 200 miles per charge.  There are three electric engines.  They produce a constant 500 horsepower.  Most importantly, the e-plane is quiet and has zero emissio...

Terrafugia's TF-2 & Future of Travel Plane and Ground Vehicle Terrafugia invented the world's 1st FAA and NTSB approved flying car, The Transition.  The TF-2 is a next generation concept design they're working on now.  It promises door to door service for 4 passengers and their luggage.  There's a detachable pod. It goes from a flight vehicle to a ground vehicle in 2 minutes. Going to Market The TF-2 will enter the market as a hybrid electric aircraft that will be flown by a pilot.  But as the technology they're working on matures, the plan is to go all electric and with autonomous systems.  At the moment the company says the maximum cruising speed is 240 km/hr.  The cost per hour of flight is $400.  No time frame for launch has been announced. China, Sweden & US  US based Terrafugia has a deep pockets parent company Geely of China and its "sister" company Volvo of Sweden is also owned by Geely.  As I blogged yesterday,...