7 March 2011
Pipistrel has launched its second generation electric-powered two-seat self-launching glider. the Taurus Electro. The aircraft is now in serial production and available to customers world-wide, with more than 20 owners due to receive their aircraft by the end of 2011.
Pipistrel explain, ‘We believes it is the only truly useful electric aircraft out there, because the electric drive is applied to the glider airframe, where battery capacity is not a limiting factor in performance/endurance. Taurus Electro G2 can use a shorter runway, climbs faster and is performs much better than the gasoline-powered version when it comes to high altitude operations. All this is possible thanks to the specially-developed emission-free Pipistrel’s 40kW electric power-train. The motor peaks at 40kW for take-off and allows continuous climbing at 30kW power. It is controlled by a specially developed power inverter/controller and governed by the cockpit ESYS-MAN instrument. All components are networked via CAN-bus, feature proprietary multilayer protection logic and produce a true throttle-by-wire experience.’ <a href=”http://www.pipistrel.si”>Click here for more</a>
