8 July 2016
Two British companies are working on a project to create a hybrid electric-jet fuel engine to replace existing six-cylinder aero powerplants.
The joint venture is called Hybraero and the power unit is the H600. It is being designed and developed by Faradair Aerospace, which is working on a hybrid powered aircraft, and motorsport engineers Prodrive. The aim is to start testing the first prototype engine in 2017.
The Hybraero H600 will have a new 300hp engine designed to run on JetA1 fuel and ‘biojet’ fuel where available. It will also have twin electric motors able to deliver an additional 300hp for up to 10 minutes of ‘electric-only’ flight time, whereupon the engine will take over and also recharge the battery. An alternative use is for a combined 600hp of maximum take-off power.
Another feature is the ability to switch power unit should either fail. So, if the diesel engine failed in-flight, the pilot could gain an extra 10 minutes flight time by switching on the electric motor, which could prove crucial in finding a safe location for an eengency landing.
“When we looked at the market and found relatively antiquated propulsion systems still being produced for general aviation, we saw an opportunity to create something new,” said Neil Cloughley, managing director of Faradair Aerospace.
“The Hybraero H600 hybrid engine fills the gap for a lightweight and powerful engine, with a better fuel burn rate and reduced noise and emissions capability, all bundled together into a package that could be fitted to any new aircraft or even retro-fitted to existing aircraft. However the backup safety feature of switchable power is one of the most exciting features.”
The hybrid powered BEHA aircraft that Faradair is working on.
Faradair BEHA
The Hybraero H600 hybrid engine will be used to power the Faradair ‘BEHA’ (Bio Electric Hybrid Aircraft) announced in November 2014. Faradair says the aircraft is heading for a first flight set for 2020.
