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/401344
8 Vol.3 No.10 / October 2014 FLIGHTLINE PIPISTREL'S NEW proof-of-concept, two- place electric airplane flew for the first time in August. Called the WATTsUP, it's powered by a Siemens AG 85-kilowatt electric motor that weighs just a shade less than 31 pounds yet packs more power than Rotax 912 series engines, according to Pipistrel. Power comes from a dual-redun- dant 17-kilowatt-hour battery pack designed to be either quickly replace- able within minutes or charged in less than an hour through the next generation of Pipistrel's battery man- agement technology. Performance allows for short takeoff distance, 1,000-plus fpm climb, and one hour of flight endur- ance with 30-minute reserve. Thirteen percent of energy is recaptured on every approach, according to Pipistrel, increasing endurance and at the same time enabling short-field landings. Pipistrel is aiming at the training market with WATTsUP, according to CEO Ivo Boscarol. "Technologies developed specially for this aircraft cut the cost of ab initio pilot training by as much as 70 percent, making fl ying more af ordable than ever before," he said. Not only can the airplane be used to train on smaller airfields, its zero CO2 emissions and far less noise make it a potential "game changer," he added. With a target price below 100,000 euros (about $132,000), WATTsUP meets European microlight and U.S. ASTM light-sport aircraft (LSA) criteria, as well as standards for electric propulsion. Already certified in France, Pipistrel is applying for an exemption with the FAA to allow training operations as a special light- sport aircraft (S-LSA). Pipistrel WATTsUP Two-Place Electric Trainer Makes First Flight CONTINENTAL MOTORS SERVICES (CMS) has entered into an agree- ment and established a joint evaluation program with Aircraft Specialties Lubricants (ASL) to verify the benefi ts of CamGuard, an aviation oil additive manufactured by ASL. This program will evaluate CamGuard in engines overhauled or repaired by CMS (formerly Mattituck). Both companies agree the time is appropriate to demonstrate merits of pairing the lat- est lubricant technology with the current engine technology resulting in less maintenance, lower overall operating cost, and greater longevity. The evaluation period runs concurrent with the 18-month warranty period of ered on overhauled or repaired engines. The standard warranty remains fully in ef ect during this evaluation. Specifi c information regarding the program will be provided to the program participants at sign-up. CamGuard will be made available to the participants for the duration of the evaluation. Participants will be asked to follow a specifi c break-in and maintenance schedule which is similar to existing guidance. Participants will provide an oil sample at each oil change for analysis. A small number of participants may be requested to have their engines undergo "enhanced" inspections during routine service at no additional cost. More information is available at www.ContinentalMotors.aero . Continental Motors and Aircraft Specialties Lubricants announce joint evaluation of CamGuard