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AERO 2023: Around the halls in 60 seconds

What can be found around the halls at AERO Friedrichshafen? The FLYER team discovers weird and wonderful tech and more…

23 April 2023

The latest customer Scalewings SW51 Mustang was unveiled at AERO, described as the best yet - The company has been making minor improvements to this extremely detailed kit. Powered by the Rotax 915iS, given that the more powerful 916iS, it' surely won't be too long before we see that engine in this airframe…

The Elektra Trainer is a 600kg electric training aircraft, created by Elektra Solar GmbH. Flight time is 2.5 hours (with 5kWh battery capacity reserve), and the company says it is capable of unlimited number of flight training cycles - 50 minutes flight, then 35 minutes charging with 18kW power. www.elektra-solar.com/products/elektra-trainer-solar

How brilliant is this Van's RV-4 built to meet the German 600kg UL requirements, powered by a Rotax 915iS? The RV-4/600R has been created by Robert Haag, who runs PlaneWorx.de. Cruise is 160kts (85% @9,000ft) with a 1,800fpm climb rate.

The Rotax 915iS in the PlaneWorx RV-4/600R.

A bit like a modern-day Edgeley Optica, the AirConcept Explorer combines helicopter style cabin with a carbon composite airframe, powered by a D-Motor.

Project eSling is an electric powered Sling 4 created by Mechanical- and Electrical engineering students of ETH Zurich. The four seater is capable of 100kt cruise for 100nm.

The eSling has 44kWh of batteries in the wing leading edges where the aircraft's fuel tanks would have previously been.

The UR-1 is an electric racer that's been designed by Pie Aeronefs SA. The carbon, V-tailed machine is targeting a maximum speed of 270kt, powered by a 200hp electric motor. https://pieaeronefs.ch/en/

Zlin Norden — The Cub concept taken to an another extreme, this time the Zlin Norden with huge tundra tyres, new heavy duty shock absorbers and powered by an Edge EP917Ti engine - a tuned version of the Rotax 915iS. The Edge engine is 'tested to 202hp' but the TBO is reduced to 1200 hours

Risen 912iS — Porto Group flew in one of its latest Rotax 912iS powered Risen Superveloce aircraft, capable of 160kt cruise speed. The Italian company is working on a higher power version with the 915iS engine said to cruise at 180kt

Magni Gyro — Magni Gyro showed three of their current designs.

Funk FK-9 — FK Aircraft are focussing on production of the FK-9 in tricycle and taildragger form for the 600kg microlight category

All forms of flying embraced here at AERO - and finally some blue sky!

Shark Turbo 600 — New Shark Turbo from Shark Aero is powered by an Edge Performance Rotax conversion

turbine hybrid — There's always amazing projects to be found, like this mini turbine hybrid power unit that will generate power to run a motor for a Silence Twister

Aerospool Dynamic GTI — Aerospool WT9.15 Dynamic GTI… hopefully available in the UK via UK agent LX Aircraft, later in 2023

JH Aircraft Corsair — A design that keeps evolving, the JH Aircraft Corsair, an SSDR level aircraft with a clever carbon tube airframe is now flying with electric power. Max endurance is an amazing two hours

CEAD P01 prototype — P01 turboprop trainer has hints of the Diamond Dart trainer but it's actually a project from Austrian engineering company Central European Aircraft Design - better known by the abbreviation CEAD. It's huge!

Literally an ENORMOUS project - a group plan to recreate the giant Dornier Do.X flying boat… check out the size of that fuselage frame!

Robin DR401 TP90 — Yes, do not adjust your eyes, that is a Robin DR401 powered by a 155hp TurboTech TP90 turbine…

French company TurboTech is aiming for German approval for its small turboprop engine which uses regenerative technology to improve fuel consumption - basically, it recycles unburnt fuel from the exhaust. TurboTech is working with Robin Aircraft and Elixir Aircraft towards eventual EASA certification. The turbine can burn almost any fuel including Jet-A1, diesel, UL91, avgas, bio-fuel and Turbotech is also developing it to burn hydrogen.

Turbotech's newest engine, the TP-R90-160 promises to deliver 160hp. - it's the engine that Robin have fitted to the DR401 mentioned elsewhere on this page…

Pipistrel Panthera — Pipistrel Aircraft, now part of Textron Aviation, confirmed it is aiming for EASA type certification for its Panthera four-seater with a 260hp Lycoming engine, hopefully by the end of 2024. Hybrid and electric versions will follow

Aura Aero — A new aerobatic two-seater from French company Aura Aero called the Integral R, powered by a Lycoming AE10-390 210hp engine, is being certified through EASA and the FAA. Side-by-side seating means it will be useful for training especially upset recovery. The taildragger is built with end-of-life recycling in mind and has a wood-carbon composite airframe

Rotax 916iS — AERO is the official European launch of the 160hp Rotax 916iS engine, aimed at new four-seaters but also being fitted to some high-performance two-seaters. Flight Design has confirmed it will power its four-seat F4

JMB VL3 916 — JMB Aircraft is one of the first manufacturers to exhibit an airframe powered by the new Rotax 916iS, in the VL3

VL3 and Rotax 916iS — Close-up of JMB's neat installation of the Rotax 916iS in the VL3

Junkers — Get that vintage feeling in a brand new aircraft with the Junkers range of ultralights - the A50 and A60.

Junkers A60 — A year ago, Junkers showed off a mockup of its new A60 and we were wowed by its stunning retro looks but the latest version with a much modified engine cowling is, shall we say, less attractive. OK, it's downright ugly with that droop nose air intake completely spoiling the styling

Junkers A60 — However, the Junkers A60 cockpit with side-by-side seating is lovely

PAL-V — Two of the PAL-V flying cars on display in the foyer at AERO. The PAL-V unfolds roof mounted rotors to become an autogyro and fly, and is awaiting certification from EASA

Messerschmitt M35 — An extraordinary project to build a recreation of a Messerschmitt M35, originally built in 1933-34 and powered by a 160hp Siemens & Halske SH14 7-cylinder radial engine

hydrogen power — Hydrogen powered Valentin Taifun… spot the tank in the rear of the cockpit…

Denali — The H3 Sport is an interesting little ultra-light helicopter from Belgian manufacturer Dynali. This stripped-back version is used out in the bush in hot climates, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it’s used in gorilla conservation

eMagic One — Michael Kügelgen is a fixed wing and rotary pilot who’s designed and built the futuristic eMagicOne, a fully electric aircraft and eVTOL that combines the best of fixed wing and rotary. Sadly, he has no plans to release it commercially, but he’s proved it’s possible to take off and land in your back garden – in a plane!

AT11 Kansan — AT11 Kansan was a bombing trainer during WWII - this example is now in a German flying museum collection

Extra RG — Wild colour scheme on the latest customer Extra NG.

Van's at AERO — American kitplane manufacturer Van's Aircraft had European customer aircraft featured on their stand - an RV-14 and RV-12.

Zeppelin airship — The Zeppelin is one of the iconic sights of Friedrichshafen. As always, it’s here offering pleasure flights to those with more time than we have!

FLYER Videos from AERO

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