Page 25 - AAA MAY - JUNE 2014 Online Magazine

FEATURE E-FAN
LEFT: Certification will
be a challenge for E-Fan
as current certification
rules do not cover electric
propulsion
RIGHT: E-Fan could be
flying from aero clubs in
France as early as 2017
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replaced by new batteries with higher wings. A six kilowatt electric motor, drives
energy density later in the programme. the aft main wheel not only providing power
This will boost flight endurance up to 90 for taxiing but also for acceleration up to 60
minutes (from 45 to 60 minutes at present). kmph during take-off.
The batteries are housed inboard of the Certification will be a challenge for
wings outside the cockpit and also help E-Fan as current certification rules do not
manage the Centre of Gravity (CG) of the cover electric propulsion! This could take
aircraft. They are provided with venting and three years and its “partners are working
passive cooling to maintain temperatures with airworthiness authorities to define
within acceptable limits. Battery cell the appropriate certification rules.” says
parameters can be monitored via on- Airbus Group Innovations, The next step
board sensors which display the health is to certify its use by aero clubs and also
and temperature of individual cells. Airbus setting-up of manufacturing process
Group Innovations stresses that “Extensive for production variants. E-Fan’s flight
research and stress testing has proven that parameters will be similar to existing
the E-Fan battery system provides ample training aircraft as per France’s Direction
safety margins.” The fully certified E-Fan Générale de l’Aviation Civile (DGAC), which
will also feature a quick change system to is also funding the programme. “More
replace the batteries (they can be recharged electric” aircraft will be the key to achieving
in an hour). An optimised electrical energy aviation standards of the future, helping
management system (e-FADEC) integrated reduce the environmental impact while
into the aircraft, automatically handles all lowering costs and increasing efficiencies.
electrical features. The avionics and radios The all-electric E-Fan is an important
are powered by an on-board 24 V electrical first step in this endeavour. Its progress
network and a backup battery is provided and acceptance by the general aviation
for emergency landing purposes. community will be keenly watched.
E-Fan also features a high tech main
landing gear that uses electrical power
for taxiing without the need for the main
engines to be used. Two electrically-
actuated wheels (retractable) are
positioned fore and aft under the fuselage,
in addition to two small wheels under the
MAY / JUNE 2014 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS 25