ElectraFlyer
Encyclopedia
The ElectraFlyer trike is an ultralight aircraft
that flies using an electric motor
, instead of a traditional gasoline engine.
The ElectraFlyer-C is a prototype
aircraft
that uses the same electric motor configuration as the ElectraFlyer Trike.
, part 103. The standard ElectraFlyer is equipped with a 5.6—kWh Lithium-ion polymer battery which powers an 18 hp
electric motor — which can be optionally upgraded to a 40 hp
motor. Depending on the number of battery packs attached, the aircraft can fly for between one and two hours before it must be recharged for 5–6 hours using a standard 120 volt AC outlet. Charging time can be reduced to 2 hours using a 240 volt outlet.
Mounting a Stratus-model Rogallo wing
design, the total aircraft weight is less than 249 pounds, depending on the options selected for engine, batteries, and other accessories such as a ballistic parachute
.
It was awarded the Grand Champion Ultralight at the 2007 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Fly-In.
The ElectraFlyer-C is a converted metal Monnett Moni motoglider equipped with the same power plant as the Electraflyer Trike. This airplane cruises at 70 mph (113 km/h), stalls at 45 mph (72 km/h) and has a top speed of 90 mph (145 km/h) with a flight duration of 1½ to 2 hours and a climb rate of 500 to 600 fpm (2.5 – 3 m/s).
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
that flies using an electric motor
Electric motor
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force...
, instead of a traditional gasoline engine.
The ElectraFlyer-C is a prototype
Prototype
A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
that uses the same electric motor configuration as the ElectraFlyer Trike.
Specifications
The Electraflyer Trike is built to comply with Federal Aviation RegulationsFederal Aviation Regulations
The Federal Aviation Regulations, or FARs, are rules prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration governing all aviation activities in the United States. The FARs are part of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations...
, part 103. The standard ElectraFlyer is equipped with a 5.6—kWh Lithium-ion polymer battery which powers an 18 hp
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
electric motor — which can be optionally upgraded to a 40 hp
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
motor. Depending on the number of battery packs attached, the aircraft can fly for between one and two hours before it must be recharged for 5–6 hours using a standard 120 volt AC outlet. Charging time can be reduced to 2 hours using a 240 volt outlet.
Mounting a Stratus-model Rogallo wing
Rogallo wing
The Rogallo wing is a flexible type of airfoil. In 1948, Gertrude Rogallo, and her husband Francis Rogallo, a NASA engineer, invented a self-inflating flexible wing they called the Parawing, also known after them as the "Rogallo Wing" and flexible wing...
design, the total aircraft weight is less than 249 pounds, depending on the options selected for engine, batteries, and other accessories such as a ballistic parachute
Ballistic parachute
A ballistic parachute, ballistic reserve parachute, or emergency ballistic reserve parachute is a parachute ejected from the casing via a small explosion*, much like that used in an ejection seat. *Also there are slug fired systems, mortar fired systems, , & A.I.R. rocket systems...
.
It was awarded the Grand Champion Ultralight at the 2007 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Fly-In.
The ElectraFlyer-C is a converted metal Monnett Moni motoglider equipped with the same power plant as the Electraflyer Trike. This airplane cruises at 70 mph (113 km/h), stalls at 45 mph (72 km/h) and has a top speed of 90 mph (145 km/h) with a flight duration of 1½ to 2 hours and a climb rate of 500 to 600 fpm (2.5 – 3 m/s).