Got invited by a group that got a gov contract to investigate the use of electric aircraft for initial military pilot training to come out and test the aircraft and give feedback on the differences between this power plant and a traditional piston engine. The aircraft flies for about 40 min and takes about 2 hours to charge (charges at normal level 2 speeds). So excited for an electric aviation future!
by UnderQualifiedPylote
25 Comments
Freaking awesome. How’d it go
I have a pilot friend that would love to try flying something like this. Where is this project based out of?
Super neat.
For Prop level flight it makes way more sense.
Jet Engines aren’t possible, really, but I am curious how it would work for short range flights in light aircraft for now.
If I didn’t have to pay for airplane fuel I absolutely would have learned how to fly. Combustion engine maintenance is also absurdly expensive. This is awesome.
What’s the endurance on a craft like this?
We need more info. What did you think?
What the power consumption at cruising altitude?
CHAdeMO connector? OF COURSE CIVIL AVIATION IS GETTING CHAdeMO!
I kid, do what works but holy hell do I want to see an experimental “fueling up” at a supercharger one day.
These guys are a few hours from me. Can’t wait to see them flying!
https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/mass-production-facility-for-electric-aircraft-to-be-opened-in-vermont/
about half as loud as a black hawk.
Archer and USAF propel military aviation with $142m contract
[https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/archer-and-usaf-propel-military-aviation-with-142m-contract/?cf-view](https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/archer-and-usaf-propel-military-aviation-with-142m-contract/?cf-view)
The focal point of this inaugural disbursement revolves around a mobile flight simulator. This simulator developed through the joint efforts of the US Air Force and Archer, will serve as a training tool.
…
In a separate development, the [US Marine Corps have also embraced Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft.](https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/us-marine-corps-embraces-archers-midnight-evtol-aircraft/#:~:text=View%20all-,Archer%20Aviation%20Inc.,in%20the%20US%20military%20ecosystem.) The USMC’s visit indicates the growing recognition that Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft offers an alternative to traditional helicopters.
This aircraft provides heightened agility and operational effectiveness across various mission profiles, from personnel transport to logistics support and rescue operations. Noteworthy is its reduced noise profile, offering a quieter alternative to helicopters.
Moreover, the Midnight aircraft presents a cost-effective solution for the US military regarding transport, operation, and maintenance.
Last month, [Joby Aviation also delivered the first-ever electric air taxi](https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/joby-delivers-first-ever-electric-air-taxi-joining-the-us-air-force/), joining the US Air Force to demonstrate the potential of eVTOL technology in various logistic missions, including cargo and passenger information.
Do you have to put it in car wash mode when flying through clouds?
What was it like?
How about crossposting to r/electricaircraft?
That’s cool. I actually bailed on my private pilot license because I was annoyed by how much of the whole thing is just about managing the idiosyncrasies of the combustion engine.
Was it bizarrely quiet?
Beautiful plane
curious what the kw is for ‘normal level 2 speeds’?
What is the battery pack size?
What is the max kw the plan can charge?
Do the tops of the wings have solar cells on them? If not, they’re missing a great opportunity to extend range!
uh electric
Taking range anxiety to new heights!
…an electric plane…
Range anxiety, anyone?
David Roberts on his last [Volts](https://www.volts.wtf) podcast interviewed the CEO of [BETA Technologies](https://www.beta.team/) who are about to put two BEV aircraft into production. The most interesting thing he said, IMO, is that the cost of fuel and maintenance for BEV aircraft is negligible compared to fossil-fueled ones. Like one or two orders of magnitude less. This would annihilate the competition in any aviation market where they can meet the range requirements.
I saw a video about one of these once. So trippy that the prop just stops spinning with no throttle. But makes sense.