4 July 2016
+VIDEO The electric aerobatic Extra 330LE unveiled by Siemens at Aero Friedrichshafen last April made its first flight in late June and then earlier today its first public flight at Schwarze Heide Airport near Dinslaken, Germany.
It’s the first time that Siemens’ new 260 kilowatt electric motor, designed specifically for light aircraft and weighing just 50kg, has flown.
“This day will change aviation,” said Frank Anton, head of eAircraft at Siemens’ central research unit Corporate Technology. “This is the first time that an electric aircraft in the quarter-megawatt performance class has flown.”
First flight for Siemens’ new 260 kilowatt electric motor in the Extra 330LE.
The Extra 330LE, weighing nearly 1,000kg, will serve as a flying test bed for the new propulsion system. As an aerobatic aircraft, said Siemens, it’s well suited for taking the components to their limits, testing them and enhancing their design.
Siemens and Airbus are working on the project together with the intention of developing regional airliners powered by hybrid-electric populsion.
“By 2030, we expect to see initial aircraft with up to 100 passengers and a range of around 1,000 kilometres,” explained Anton.
The battery-powered aerobatic Extra 330LE was developed by Siemens and Extra Aircraft. Pictured are Walter Extra (left), Extra Aircraft’s founder, and Frank Anton, head of eAircraft at Siemens.
Siemens has also launched an organisation with a budget of €1m to accelerate the development of new technologies. It’s known as ‘next47’ based on the fact that Siemens was founded in 1847.
Next47 is headed by Siemens Chief Technology Officer Siegfried Russwurm. who said, “The first flight of our propulsion system is a milestone on the road to electrification of aviation. To continue this journey successfully, we need disruptive ideas and the courage to take risks. That’s why the development of electric propulsion systems for aircraft is also the first project for our new start-up organisation, next47.”
“next47 will provide the freedom to experiment and grow – without the organisational restrictions of a large company,” said Siegfried Russwurm, Chief Technology Officer of Siemens AG.
1 comment
I’d like to have this e-aircraft for a demonstration at SMO (Santa Monica). Is there anyone at the company who could verify whether this can be done? Who do I talk to?