Man’s sheer desire to fly can’t be dominated by any force of nature. Like the obsessed Leonardo di Caprio in Aviator, the human race has witnessed many such personalities who have added new dimensions to the aviation industry. In distressing times of global warming, scientists are trying to consume as little of the remaining fuel on earth as possible. This week at the Paris Air Show, a small motor-glider, squeezed in between the jumbo jets and military demonstrations, grabbed the eye balls. Its uniqueness is in the fact that it is the first airplane to be powered by hybrid electric drive. The motor-glider has been termed as an airborne Chevy Volt as it runs with the help of an electric motor turning the prop and a gasoline engine providing fluid when the battery dies down. The DA36 E Star glider, like the Volt, was designed keeping in mind the idea of fuel efficiency.
Siemens, the developer of this wonderful technology, designed the composite two-seater with aerospace giant EADS and Diamond Aircraft of Austria. They now hope that they can introduce further innovations in this technology to suit it to large aircrafts as well. The immediate target Siemens has kept for them is to cut down fuel consumption and emissions by at least 25%, as pointed out by Dr. Frank Anton. Apart from just cutting down on the fuel consumption rate, the developers believe that the hybrid drive can also to a large extent reduce the noise heard by people on ground. Usually, the noisiest part of an airplane ride is its takeoff because then the aircraft uses maximum power. The hybrid engine allows to the aircraft to use electric power, thus greatly reducing the overall noise.
The innovative engine’s first run was conducted in Austria on June 8. It houses a 94-horsepower Siemens electric motor to drive the propeller. The batteries supply power during takeoff and ascent. One of its drawbacks is, like other electric aircrafts, the DA36 E Star cannot carry a large and heavy battery pack, thus limiting the airplane’s ability to run totally on battery power. Siemens is working on a significantly lighter version now. Like in other modes of transport, electric aircrafts are still finding it hard to be accepted. But as of now, the DA36 E Star only seems to further ignite the flame of electric innovation.
Via: Wired
