Electric Aircraft Corporation ElectraFlyer-C

The Electric Aircraft Corporation ElectraFlyer-C is an American experimental electric aircraft that was designed by Randall Fishman and produced by his company Electric Aircraft Corporation in 2008. The aircraft is a converted Monnett Moni motor glider intended to test electric propulsion technology for the future Electric Aircraft Corporation ElectraFlyer-X.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

ElectraFlyer-C
Role Experimental electric aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Electric Aircraft Corporation
Designer Randall Fishman
First flight 2008
Introduction 2008
Status Developmental prototype only
Produced 2008
Number built one
Developed from Electric Aircraft Corporation ElectraFlyer Trike and Monnett Moni

The design was only intended as a prototype and proof of concept aircraft.[6]

Design and development

The aircraft features a cantilever low-wing, a single-seat enclosed cockpit with a bubble canopy, fixed conventional landing gear and a single 18 hp (13 kW) electric motor in tractor configuration. The sole example built is registered in the US Experimental - Amateur-built category.[1][3][6]

Constructed from a Monnett Moni motorglider with taildragger landing gear, the original fuselage and wing were retained, but the tail section and tailwheel were extended to improve control on the ground, and to elevate the fuselage.[7]

The aircraft is made from sheet aluminum. Its 45.6 ft (13.9 m) span wing has an area of 157 sq ft (14.6 m2).[1][3][6][8]

The motor is an 18-horsepower ElectraFlyer direct-drive propulsion kit DC electric motor, powered by a pair of custom-made 5.6 kwh lithium-ion polymer battery packs, weighing 75 pounds (34 kilograms). The batteries are mounted in custom-made, ceramic-stainless steel firewall boxes, sized to fit the space available in the fuselage.[7]

The motor returns an 88% efficiency (90% at cruise[7]), with the motor controller consuming 2% of the power. The batteries fitted give an endurance of 1.5 hours and take six hours to recharge at a cost of 70 cents for the power consumed. While descending the propeller generates power to recharge the batteries. The ElectraFlyer-C received its airworthiness certificate on 11 April 2008.[1][3][6][8]

Fishman indicated that he would sell the aircraft in April 2009, but as of February 2017 it remains owned by his company.[1][2][3]

Specifications (ElectraFlyer-C)

Data from Bayerl and Electric Aircraft Corporation[1][3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Height: 45 ft 7 in (13.9 m)
  • Wing area: 157 sq ft (14.6 m2)
  • Empty weight: 380 lb (172 kg)
  • Gross weight: 625 lb (283 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × ElectraFlyer direct drive electric aircraft engine, with 5.6 kwh lithium-ion polymer batteries, 18 hp (13 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 90 mph (140 km/h, 78 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 70 mph (110 km/h, 61 kn)
  • Stall speed: 40 mph (65 km/h, 35 kn)
  • Endurance: 1.5 hours

References
  1. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 45. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. Federal Aviation Administration (14 February 2017). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  3. Electric Aircraft Corporation (2008). "ElectraFlyer-C Prototype". Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  4. Pew, Glenn (June 2008). "Electric Power For Experimentals, Perhaps LSA's". Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  5. Admin (5 August 2008). "Plug and Fly: The Battery-Powered Plane Makes Its Debut". Wired. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  6. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 46. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  7. Laboda, Amy: "ElectraFlyer-C Concept Airplane Flying," August 1, 2008, Kitplanes retrieved August 22, 2020
  8. Schupak, Amanda (12 April 2008). "A Silent Electric Plane". News Organization. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
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