AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2018 - 46

PILOT BRIEFING
INDUSTRY NEWS |

Electric power
featured at AERO
Europe leading this growing
aviation segment
BY THOMAS A. HORNE

AERO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, the German airshow held in April, placed a heavy emphasis
on developments in the growing electric
aviation segment, as evidenced by what
the event called its e-flight-expo. One of 12
exhibit halls was given over to the e-flightexpo, and it's where the latest electrically
powered designs were featured. While
acceptance of electric aviation may be in its
infancy in the United States, in Europe it's
been evolving for years. Now, some aircraft
are on the market. Others have a way to go.
And still others have a very long way to go.
MAGNUS AIRCRAFT EFUSION

This is a joint effort between Hungarian airframer Magnus Aircraft Corp. and Germany's
industrial giant Siemens, which provides its
SSP-55D 75-horsepower electric motor. The
eFusion's lithium-ion battery can power the
airplane for 40 minutes of flight and needs
an hour to fully recharge. This Experimental,
110-knot, two-seat design-which made its
first public flight at AERO-is but one offering on display. Another experimental Magnus
design uses a hybrid propulsion system consisting of a 100-horsepower Siemens electric
motor plus an 80-horsepower FlyEco diesel
engine, which is based on the Mercedes-Benz
Smart auto engine. It can cruise at 90 knots
and, when using diesel power, can fly as far as
46 | AOPA PILOT June 2018

215 nautical miles on eight gallons of fuel. Currently, an eFusion is based at the Waco, Texas,
airport, where it's undergoing hot-weather testing. The +3/-3G eFusion is being touted as a lowcost trainer, but it's not for sale-and like its hybrid cousin, it's more of a testbed for Siemens
to explore future iterations of a range of electrically powered aircraft, including four-seaters
and more. For example, Siemens is testing one of its two-megawatt/2,600-horsepower electric motors on a BAe 146 regional airliner.
ONIX

This Czech-built motorglider (pronounced Phoenix) uses a 60-kilowatt/80-horsepower electric motor for self-launches as well as other phases of flight, and under power can cruise at 108
knots and fly for 2.5 hours on a single charge of its lithium-ion battery. Maximum glide ratio is
1:32. It can be ordered with wingspans of 11 or 15 meters. European LSA certification is expected
by spring 2018. The company also offers charging units, one of which is capable of charging
both the electric airplanes and electric cars. Hold your breath, because avionics-equipped airplanes will sell for 235,000 euros; the largest charging station will go for 48,000 euros.
ANTARES E2

The Antares E2 is not a true general aviation airplane, but its features are noteworthy. Built
by Germany's Lange Research GmbH, this six-motor design has a 75-foot wingspan, can
cruise at 135 knots, and has a 40-hour endurance. Intended for use in surveillance roles, the
E2 uses six methanol-powered fuel cells and dual batteries in a hybrid propulsion setup that
generates enough power to provide ice protection of leading edges-and enough energy to
drive radars and other high-end surveillance gear. It has a 3,638-pound maximum takeoff
weight, can hold 660 pounds of methanol in two underwing pods, and carry a payload of
440 pounds. Manned and unmanned versions are being developed. The E2 on display was
a mockup; first flight of the real airplane is set for June 2018. Government agencies are the
target customers. It's price is $2 million.

AOPA Pilot Magazine - June 2018

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