Diamond Aircraft Announces Electric eDA-40

[Minuteman]

I mean why not just put them on the wings at this point?

I thought it was a DA-42 at first.

My guess is that the wing structure probably wasn't designed for those loads so they made a "module" to drop in on the engine mounts in the nose and ... I dunno, maybe two 90 hp (66kW) electric motors are somehow better than one big 180 hp jobber?

Maybe the designer is one of those people that thinks the weird glasses they wear endows them with character.

Edit: the plane in that picture is a hybrid. That bulge on the nose is probably the ICE part of the hybrid.

To demonstrate this serial-hybrid technology, a DA40 aircraft was reconfigured to support a hybrid electric powertrain. In this system set-up, one combustion engine is powering two independent electric drive systems consisting of one motor, battery and inverter each. Two electric engines have been added on a forward canard, which combined can generate 150kW of take-off power. The diesel generator is located in the nose of the aircraft and can provide up to 110kW of power. Two batteries with 12kWh each are mounted in the rear passenger compartment, and act as an energy storage buffer. With a dedicated power lever, the pilot can control the energy flow between the generator, batteries and motor. The pilot can select either pure electric mode (generator off), cruise mode (generator provides all power to the motor), and charge mode (generator charges the batteries). Pure electric, the aircraft has an endurance of approximately 30minutes. The hybrid system extends this to 5 hours.

 

[Richman]

One oft not talked about aspect of electric GA is no more noise complaints causing airports to get closed.

It’s not about the noise. That’s simply a talking point.

Note that “90 minutes of range” may not equate to 90 minutes of touch and goes. That’s a lot of of full power applications.

Drive a Tesla like a nut bag or haul azz and you will find the claimed range a lot less than advertised.

While the leaded fuel thing is overstated, there’s already a pathway to UL fuel. Get the lead out and you’ve just doubled your oil change intervals and on a path to extending TBOs. That changes the economics of piston engines significantly.

 

[DropTank]

It’s not about the noise. That’s simply a talking point.

Note that “90 minutes of range” may not equate to 90 minutes of touch and goes. That’s a lot of of full power applications.

Drive a Tesla like a nut bag or haul azz and you will find the claimed range a lot less than advertised.

While the leaded fuel thing is overstated, there’s already a pathway to UL fuel. Get the lead out and you’ve just doubled your oil change intervals and on a path to extending TBOs. That changes the economics of piston engines significantly.

Electric motor will act as generator on the descend.
So the high power touch and goes is not that much of a factor.

As for piston engines: double the oil changes and TBO and you still don't come even close to the simplicity and reliability of an electrical motor.

Piston engines are obsolete.

 

[Richman]

Electric motor will act as generator on the descend.
So the high power touch and goes is not that much of a factor.

As for piston engines: double the oil changes and TBO and you still don't come even close to the simplicity and reliability of an electrical motor.

Piston engines are obsolete.

We all know you're "long" in the e-world, but don't try to guild the lily.

 

[zmiller4]

We all know you're "long" in the e-world, but don't try to guild the lily.

I think it’s possible think both that electric planes are going to be really successful someday, but also that we’re not real close yet.

Incredible reliability, low maintenance costs and comparatively cheap source of power are super attractive for a GA plane. I’ve had my Tesla for 2 years and have literally done nothing to it not associated with the tires.

But it’s also a tiny car that weighs more than a lot of pickup trucks because of the battery weight, which is fine for a car or truck—it’s apparently got an insanely low center of gravity and is still really efficient—but until batteries get a lot lighter I don’t think electric aircraft will be very feasible.

 

[DropTank]

We all know you're "long" in the e-world, but don't try to guild the lily.

Hey, it's been profitable.

guild the lily?!

how old are you? 500?

Is there an onion on your belt?
(it was the style at the time)

((also, I'm still right))

 

[mightynimbus]

Electric motor will act as generator on the descend.

Is that published by one of them as a feature?
Seems like that would be dramatically different as it essentially would have to be high drag "pushing the motor"
compared to reduced thrust.
Not unlike a dead engine and no feather.

I have not thought it through, but seems a lot different than a fixed connection like regenerative skateboards and cars and such.
Maybe my brain needs a second gear this morning.

 

[DropTank]

Um, yeah, instead of the air pushing a piston engine, it pushes an electric motor that acts like a generator so the energy is not wasted.
I think Pipistrel advertises that as a feature.

The neat part is that all it takes is some extra circuitry.

 

[killbilly]

Um, yeah, instead of the air pushing a piston engine, it pushes an electric motor that acts like a generator so the energy is not wasted.
I think Pipistrel advertises that as a feature.

The neat part is that all it takes is some extra circuitry.

Do you have any idea of the ratio of recovered charge when it's in that state vs. what it burns on a full power takeoff? Curious about that.

 

[woodreau]

I’d be interested in seeing if the electric aircraft engines develop less power as altitude increases. The air is less dense as you climb higher, but the electric driven prop, isnt Limited by fuel-air mixture, just how much energy is left in the battery.

 

[Ayork62493]

I’d be interested in seeing if the electric aircraft engines develop less power as altitude increases. The air is less dense as you climb higher, but the electric driven prop, isnt Limited by fuel-air mixture, just how much energy is left in the battery.

It’ll develop less but not because of the motor. It’ll be prop and wing inefficiencies but the motor shouldn’t develop any less power. My electric car is a blast in the mountains for this reason. Even at 11000 feet, it doesn’t know any different.

 

[mightynimbus]

Do you have any idea of the ratio of recovered charge when it's in that state vs. what it burns on a full power takeoff? Curious about that.

Looking on pipstrel web site, there was some verbiage about 13% recovery on a landing or some such thing.
But not quantified if that was from what altitude. or any other parameter that might have got them to that number

 

[DropTank]

Do you have any idea of the ratio of recovered charge when it's in that state vs. what it burns on a full power takeoff? Curious about that.

I thought it was 70% but MightyNimbus has a different number so now I'm not sure.
If I stumble on the correct answer, I'll update.

I’d be interested in seeing if the electric aircraft engines develop less power as altitude increases. The air is less dense as you climb higher, but the electric driven prop, isnt Limited by fuel-air mixture, just how much energy is left in the battery.

The only limitation on power is cooling and I have not seen that as a limitation yet

 

[mightynimbus]

I thought it was 70% but MightyNimbus has a different number so now I'm not sure.
If I stumble on the correct answer, I'll update.



The only limitation on power is cooling and I have not seen that as a limitation yet

I just bumbled onto their site,

Alpha Electro – Pipistrel Aircraft

www.pipistrel-aircraft.com

first paragraph. But that is what I think is their basic model.

I did not look at all the models, The Velis seems to be the top of their odderings and I did not see a reference on energy recovery

 

[DropTank]

I just bumbled onto their site,

Alpha Electro – Pipistrel Aircraft

www.pipistrel-aircraft.com

first paragraph. But that is what I think is their basic model.

I did not look at all the models, The Velis seems to be the top of their odderings and I did not see a reference on energy recovery

hmmm.... guess I had my (•_•) ( •_•)>⌐■-■ (⌐■_■) wires crossed.

(*YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!*)

 

[Richman]

The people horking the e-stuff right now remind me of flying with guys around 2006, convincing me I should cash out my home equity to jump in the stock market.

Ahhhh, no. Fill'er up, please.

 

[Itchy]

About 8 times around the patch, and that thing will be ready to plug in again I bet. About the same with an rc model…

 

[NovemberEcho]

I remember when people scoffed at electric cars 20 years ago.

 

[Richman]

Pepperidge Farms remembers a time you could find tasty, premade treats in your grocer’s pastry isle without being shamed by the checkout girl.

 

[fholbert]

Electric motor will act as generator on the descend.
So the high power touch and goes is not that much of a factor.

If it works like an electric car, no.

Uphill you lose a lot more battery charge than the downhill recharge on the other side. Maybe someday, but it's just not there yet.