All articles tagged with #electric flight
Norway is pioneering electric aviation with its first test flight of the electric Alia CX 300, aiming to connect remote islands and reduce emissions, as part of its broader shift towards green energy and electrification of transport.
NASA's Solid-state Architecture Batteries for Enhanced Rechargeability and Safety (SABERS) program has developed a sodium selenium solid-state battery with an energy density of 500 watt-hours per kilogram, double that of conventional lithium-ion batteries. The battery can discharge ten times faster than when the research started and is up to 40% lighter due to innovations in design. It can withstand higher temperatures and is less affected by changes in pressure, making it suitable for aircraft. The cost remains a challenge, but the battery's potential for thousands of flights makes it economically viable for airlines and air taxi companies. NASA is also involved in researching advanced air mobility and integrating air taxis into existing flight corridors.
Whisper Aero has unveiled its Whisper Jet, a nine-passenger, hybrid-electric aircraft that showcases the company's proprietary electric ducted fans. The Whisper Jet has a max cruise speed of 250 knots, a projected battery-only range of 161–193 miles and a hybrid range of 432–464 miles. Whisper Aero's electric ducted fans achieve their low noise and high efficiency through the use of a very high blade count and tip shroud. The company aims to begin raising the profile of regional air mobility, a concept it believes has as much or more potential as urban air mobility.