There is absolutely no doubt that the aviation industry is bleeding and bleeding quite badly with the jolts it has been receiving from the ever-expensive and constantly rising Crude Oil prices and the fact that most people have clipped its wings by calling it a demon for the planet. To be very honest, the industry has been receiving plenty of flak and it has been at times very unfair. All those criticizing it about its ‘not so green’ ways rarely come up with a viable commercial alternative which leaves the companies with little option. But the ‘Electraflyer’ might offer a new solution even if it is just a fun trike.
Randall Fishman is the man behind the wings of the Electraflyer Trike. Altering the Moni motorglider to suit this green engine, the main landing gear and tailwheel have been lengthened to raise the fuselage and enhance ground control. 90% efficiency is achieved by swapping the original two-stroke gasoline engine and propeller with an 18 hp DC electric motor. Of course along with a controller and regenerative drive attached to a composite, ground adjustable two-blade propeller.
In case of the Electraflyer the pilot can keep a track on the power consumption with the volts and amperes meters while the controller is managed by a throttle. The battery also charges back when the propeller is wind-milling due to regenerative drive. Powered by two custom lithium polymer 5.6 kilowatt battery packs that just weigh 78 lbs and offering a green flight which is also cheap could make this a blueprint for the future of aviation industry indeed.
Via: Ecofriend
