Bye Aerospace: The Electric SunFlyer

[killbilly]

Read a really interesting article about these guys this week:

https://www.byeaerospace.com/

Article was in AWST, but you need a subscription to read the full piece - still, here's the link if you're interested:
http://aviationweek.com/new-business-aircraft/bye-aerospace-electric-sun-flyer-takes-air

It will be interesting to see if the performance claims match reality - 3.5 hour endurance, 30 minute recharge, 440 pounds worth of pax and 1150fpm climb rate. Essentially a $14 per hour operating cost (not including storage or insurance) - which, even with those other factors, is pretty cheap.

Spartan in Tulsa has placed orders for 20.

I like the concept, and someone's gotta be first.

 

[z987k]

Their website is so lacking of any technical detail at all, there's no way to judge if this is any kind of real step forward.
For all we know it's the aircraft version of the juicero.

 

[NickH]

I can give you some technical data:

It looks a little like a DA-20, which has a wing area of 11.6m². If that were completely covered in solar panels, the panels were brand new, and flying in optimal conditions, they could generate about 2KW. Once again using the best possible case, and assuming zero transmission loss and a 100% efficient motor, this gives a performance of 2.68bhp. Yeah, it's a squeeze.

 

[jtrain609]

Read a really interesting article about these guys this week:

https://www.byeaerospace.com/

Article was in AWST, but you need a subscription to read the full piece - still, here's the link if you're interested:
http://aviationweek.com/new-business-aircraft/bye-aerospace-electric-sun-flyer-takes-air

It will be interesting to see if the performance claims match reality - 3.5 hour endurance, 30 minute recharge, 440 pounds worth of pax and 1150fpm climb rate. Essentially a $14 per hour operating cost (not including storage or insurance) - which, even with those other factors, is pretty cheap.

Spartan in Tulsa has placed orders for 20.

I like the concept, and someone's gotta be first.

It is impossible to disrupt the laws of physics.

 

[GypsyPilot]

 

[NickH]

It will be interesting to see if the performance claims match reality - 3.5 hour endurance, 30 minute recharge, 440 pounds worth of pax and 1150fpm climb rate. Essentially a $14 per hour operating cost (not including storage or insurance) - which, even with those other factors, is pretty cheap.

Let's math the battery. A Tesla Supercharger spits out an amazing 120KW. That means a 30 minute charge provides 60KWH of power, again assuming 100% efficiency (real world is likely closer to 70%). That means an average power of 17KW, or 22bhp.

We can add the solar power to that, and it's still flying on magic.

 

[z987k]

You notice in the video on their site it sounds like an internal combustion engine running?

 

[knot4u]

You notice in the video on their site it sounds like an internal combustion engine running?

That's probably just noise from the prop. The disconcerting thing for me was the aileron flutter towards the end of the video. Maybe it's just an unintended video effect from the camera they used, but it sure looks sloppy.

 

[z987k]

That's probably just noise from the prop. The disconcerting thing for me was the aileron flutter towards the end of the video. Maybe it's just an unintended video effect from the camera they used, but it sure looks sloppy.

I thought that at first to, but a spinning prop doesn't sound like that. The Sensenich they have on there really doesn't sound like that.

 

[knot4u]

I thought that at first to, but a spinning prop doesn't sound like that. The Sensenich they have on there really doesn't sound like that.

Maybe like the video effect there's an audio effect due to the microphone used. And if you want know about prop noise go to Reno for the air races, the T-6s will give you a headache and the old unlimiteds would shake your insides when running well (one in particular).

 

[killbilly]

Their website is so lacking of any technical detail at all, there's no way to judge if this is any kind of real step forward.
For all we know it's the aircraft version of the juicero.

Yeah, I kinda wish the AWST article wasn't behind the paywall. They're based at KAPA. I know they're flying quite a bit and the lead designer is an ex-USAF guy,

 

[killbilly]

Let's math the battery. A Tesla Supercharger spits out an amazing 120KW. That means a 30 minute charge provides 60KWH of power, again assuming 100% efficiency (real world is likely closer to 70%). That means an average power of 17KW, or 22bhp.

We can add the solar power to that, and it's still flying on magic.

They opted not to run with the solar panels in the wings once they got access to high-speed charging tech - the airplane in the initial picture on the website is not the same airplane as the SunFlyer.

Siemens is also running an electric airplane called the eFusion - has a 55Kw motor. No idea on performance specs.

@jtrain609 - no one is claiming anything about violating the laws of physics. It's an R&D project and it's pretty interesting and at least one credible customer is interested enough to order a bunch of them. Dunno what the real-world performance will be.

I think it's interesting and exciting stuff and I'm glad there's someone out there trying to do it.

 

[jtrain609]

They opted not to run with the solar panels in the wings once they got access to high-speed charging tech - the airplane in the initial picture on the website is not the same airplane as the SunFlyer.

Siemens is also running an electric airplane called the eFusion - has a 55Kw motor. No idea on performance specs.

@jtrain609 - no one is claiming anything about violating the laws of physics. It's an R&D project and it's pretty interesting and at least one credible customer is interested enough to order a bunch of them. Dunno what the real-world performance will be.

I think it's interesting and exciting stuff and I'm glad there's someone out there trying to do it.

Orders are meaningless, and they're also low risk. If I were the launch customer on this thing I wouldn't put down a very large deposit, and I'd put into the contract that the deposit is returned if the timeline for the aircraft runs over by more than 20% of the original schedule.

 

[jtrain609]

Also, did anyone watch the first flight of the two seater? Anemic acceleration and initial climb out, plus aileron flutter.

They've got some work to do before certification happens.

 

[NickH]

They opted not to run with the solar panels in the wings once they got access to high-speed charging tech - the airplane in the initial picture on the website is not the same airplane as the SunFlyer.

Siemens is also running an electric airplane called the eFusion - has a 55Kw motor. No idea on performance specs.

@jtrain609 - no one is claiming anything about violating the laws of physics. It's an R&D project and it's pretty interesting and at least one credible customer is interested enough to order a bunch of them. Dunno what the real-world performance will be.

I think it's interesting and exciting stuff and I'm glad there's someone out there trying to do it.

That's good, they are a waste of weight. Speaking of, a 60KW battery weighs about 1000lbs. Not going to happen.

 

[killbilly]

That's good, they are a waste of weight. Speaking of, a 60KW battery weighs about 1000lbs. Not going to happen.

Looks like it's going to be a bunch of batteries, 90KW motor and 880 pounds, according to Bye.

I've been following this for a couple of reasons - first, I'm really interested in the tech in general - it's kinda fascinating. Second, it seems that one of the flight schools I've been working with has placed deposits on two of them. Should be pretty interesting when they deliver.

 

[cmac88]

How many times do supposed boundaries have to be overcome before people stop saying it won't ever happen... maybe just start saying it cant happen with whatever current technology is deemed "the limit." I mean human history is filled with this especially the last 100 years. It'll be interesting to follow just like any of the other aviation projects pushing boundaries.