Cessna, the world leader in the manufacture and sale of single-engine private aircraft has announced they will introduce an electric airplane in 2011. The aircraft will be based on the popular 172 model and offered as a 2-seater. While range is currently a problem at only about an hour, the other specs look pretty interesting.

Basically, they remove the engine, fuel tanks, and install an electric motor and large battery pack. The weight trade off is just about a wash, while the performance should be pretty close to that of the ICE aircraft. Swinging a six-blade high-efficiency prop, the slimmer nose section will be much more aerodynamic than the current aircraft, and by phase two, the plane will incorporate solar cells and regenerative "closed throttle" and tip vortex generators that will extend range. With more efficient batteries in the "Phase II" model that will follow on in another year or two, the range will extend to two hours, making it competitive for short flights with a ICE aircraft.

Why would your want an electric airplane? Well, with the cost of avgas running $4.75 to $5.00/gal nationwide, there's an immediate savings in fuel. Then there's the considerable reduction in noise and vibration with the electric, as well as huge benefits in maintenance and reliability. Required overhauls will probably stretch to 10X the current levels - and that is a HUGE savings for the long-term owner.

Who would own something that can only remain airborne for only an hour of two? Well, flight schools for one - pilots under instruction or doing pattern work around the field are natural candidates for an electric - and they are Cessna's primary target market for the Phase I model. Later, as pilots become used to electric flight, and range extends to 200 and 300 miles, electrics may compete directly with small private aircraft at about the same price.

If you haven't bought your electric car yet, you may find it has competition - from above.

http://www.eaa.org/news/2010/2010-11-15_electric172.asp

 

Interesting, Lil. Great post. I used to fly 172s....in fact, that was the bird I got most of my primary flight-instruction and soloed in. I was too heavy, with another person on board, for weight-and-balance on the lighter and more-restricted 152s.

The 172 is an excellent all-around machine for general aviation, with a good safety record. It promises to be even better in electric form....no tank-switching, fuel-****-draining for water bubbles, oil checks, priming on start-up, magneto-RPM checks, fuel-mixture leaning/riching with altitude, carburator heat on landing, etc.....

 

Let me know how it works in a freak lightening storm and I'll get back to you on that. Sounds rather intriguing though.

 

In normal flying, with most aircraft, you don't ever intentionally penetrate a thunderstorm, for a number of reasons, but especially so in light general-aviation planes. Even flying around the edges of one can sometimes be extremely turbulent.

 

Hence why I said freak lightening storm.