AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021 - 31

pattern trainer. The Bye eFlyer 2 two-placer trainer
will allow for a 1.5-hour flight lesson with reserves.
However, the eFlyer 4, a four-place, higher-performance aircraft, is projected to fly for several
hundred miles.
Electric cars and airplanes both have the ability to regenerate, putting energy back into the
batteries as the car brakes or the airplane slows
or descends with the propeller returning energy.
It happens automatically in a car when brakes are
applied. However, the driver also can manage it via
a steering wheel paddle, applying up to three levels
of recuperation, depending on the circumstances.
Not surprisingly, the prices are not at all comparable. Electric cars are well under $100,000; even
the most basic GA airplane, including pending electric ones, will set you back several multiples of that.

About that charge
FULL DISCLOSURE

Audi recently formed a
partnership with AOPA
whereby AOPA members
get up to $2,000 off
their best price on
numerous Audi models.
Get all the details on
AOPA's website.
aopa.org/audi

EMAIL thomas.haines@aopa.org

Road tested

A great way to get to the airport
I had the opportunity recently to spend some time with the state of the art in electric automobiles
when I drove a 2019 Audi e-tron SUV for about a month. I was intrigued by the e-tron because it
is Audi's first all-electric car. For 2021 and beyond, the company is offering the e-tron in both SUV
and Sportback models.
The SUV resembles a Q7 in size and look, but is in fact an all-new platform. With a curb weight
of 5,154 pounds, the e-tron is 370 pounds heavier thanks to its 36 battery modules, each of which
has 12 battery cells. Should any module or cell fail, it can be easily replaced.
All those batteries deliver the equivalent of 402 horsepower-quite a punch when unleashed.
The heavy vehicle accelerates to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds. As you might expect, the flagship electric Audi comes with a host of amazing electronics as well, including a head-up display, self-park
capability, auto braking, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, lane guidance, adjustable
suspension for different types of roads-and even off-road-as well as a host of cameras to allow
you to view everything around you in tight parking situations. An optional infrared system will alert
you to people and critters on the road.
While the driving and safety tech are pretty awesome, it is creature comfort where the car is
head and shoulders above any light general aviation experience you've ever had. First off, the " cabin "
of the Audi is amazingly quiet, even at high speeds. The seats adjust in dozens of ways to assure
your comfort-and the front seats are both heated and cooled. And while driving, you can get one
of three different types of back massages, each available in three levels of intensity. All this while
you're breathing ionized air that you can have scented in one of three ways. The wrap-around incabin night lighting is elegant and adjustable to a variety of colors. Getting in and out at night is
easy with lighted door sills and subtle lights shining down from below the door handles. It's a firstclass experience.
Base price of a 2021 e-tron is $65,900. Well-optioned, it goes for around $81,500. With a top speed
of 124 mph, the Audi " flies, " but only in two dimensions. Still, a great way to get to the airport. -TBH

Pilots often wonder in
aviation forums about
the viability of electric
airplanes. They question
how long it might take
to recharge, for example.
And what sort of endurance might be expected.
All great questions and
ones asked on the automotive side as well. While
some aviation schemes
call for the swapping of
batteries to get the training airplane back in the
air, cars typically can get
back on the road through
three levels of charge.
Level 1 is via a common
110-volt alternating current household outlet-a
process that takes more
than a day to charge the
380-amp battery in the
Audi e-tron.
Level 2 chargers use
240 volts and decrease
the e-tron charge time to
about 9 hours; these are
ones owners tend to have
at home and that you
might find in a parking
garage.
Should you be lucky
enough to be near a rare
Level 3 direct current
charger, you can get an
80-percent charge in your
e-tron in about 30 minutes. An hour will give you
a full charge.
The best full charge
range I saw on the e-tron
was about 226 miles-an
amount that can vary depending on temperature
and how aggressively you
drive. If 75 mph is your
sweet spot, expect to see
significantly less range.
Around town, it may be
more. -TBH

audiusa.com/us/web/en

aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 31

http://www.aopa.org/audi http://www.audiusa.com/us/web/en http://www.aopa.org/pilot

AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - January 2021