eGenius Electric Plane Flies For CAFE 2011 Green Flight Challenge

We usually talk about electric powered cars and two-wheelers. However, technology has enabled man to conquer the space with electric aircrafts. eGenius - the electric aircraft took 20 minute maiden flight from Mindelheim, Germany. The entire project has been funded by Airbus - the aviation major. eGenius has been designed by the research team at University of Stuttgart's Institute of Aircraft Design. The teams are now working on analyzing the data collected from the maiden flight.

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eGenius design takes inspiration from a regular touring motor glider. It features wingspan of 55.4 ft and height of 26.6 ft. The cockpit is 3.6 ft wide and has enough space to accommodate two seats in side by side configuration. eGenius' single tail-mounted propeller is powered by 60 kW at 2,000 rpm electric motor. eGenius can carry take off weight of 850 kg and two pilots weighing not more than 180 kg combined. The electric plane is capable of cruising at speeds of 235 km/h and a total flight distance of 400 km. Test pilot Steffen Gemsa successfully tested the flight for 20 minutes on May 26. Airbus' interest in electric plane project is clear. Airbus recently started experimenting with the use of bio-fuels as well. It seems that the era of electric powered planes has arrived.

Via: <a href="https://www.ifb.uni-stuttgart.de/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Institut für Flugzeugbau | Universität Stuttgart</a>