Experimenter is a magazine created by EAA for people who build airplanes. We will report on amateur-built aircraft as well as ultralights and other light aircraft.
Issue link: http://experimenter.epubxp.com/i/418587
EAA Experimenter 39 tow gliders, a powerful 1,000-plus-fpm climb, quiet operation, and 90 minutes endurance make this aircraft almost ideal for pilot training. Boscarol said WATTsUP is optimized for traf c pattern operations and fl ights around the airport where 13 percent of its energy is recuperated on every approach to landing (this is the reason for the "fat" propeller), increasing endurance and at the same time enabling short-fi eld landings. Tomazic added that there is no need for fl ight schools to buy a spare battery pack for a single airplane as the fl ight training ses- sions usually don't last longer than 45 minutes. And the student exchange time on the ground, together with a short fl ight review, already provide enough time to charge the batteries. An additional spare battery pack might be useful for operators of two aircraft, where the batteries could be exchanged in a rotation system. According to Pipistrel, WATTsUP's purchase price can't be compared directly to gasoline engine–powered aircraft, be- cause "in the purchase price of this aircraft, the fuel is already included." The price for electric energy needed to recharge the batteries in Europe is approximately $1.32 (1 euro) per traf c pattern or $10.50 (8 euros) per fl ying hour. The price in the United States is almost 50 percent less because of lower energy prices. Pipistrel's WATTsUP doesn't put any special require- ments on airports/airfi elds where it will operate; a normal AC power outlet is all that is needed. Boscarol said, "With the ever-growing cost of fuel, it is time to rethink pilot training. Our solution is the fi rst practical, all- electric trainer. Technologies developed specially for this aircraft cut the cost of pilot training by as much as 70 percent, making fl ying more af ordable than ever before. Being able to conduct training on smaller airfi elds, closer to towns, with zero CO2 emissions and minimum noise is also a game changer! WATTsUP meets microlight and ASTM LSA criteria, as well as standards for electric propulsion, and it is already certifi ed in France. More countries will follow soon, and we are applying for an exemption with the FAA to allow training operations as special LSA." Frank Anton, executive vice president of Traction Drives, Large Drives for Siemens AG, said, "Siemens is developing electric drive systems with the highest power-to-weight ratio Tine Tomazic demonstrates how easy it is to remove the single battery block. He said, "If you can't do this, don't fl y." The electric motor is liquid cooled. The bottle with the red cap/liquid is the overfl ow bottle.