Original title: historic breakthrough! First electric plane first flyer claims to be flying a beaver
According to the guardian on December 11, the world's first fully electric commercial aircraft has completed its first test flight, taking off from Vancouver, Canada, for 15 minutes.
Roy & middot; ganzaski, chief executive of Australia's engineering company magnax, said: 'this proves that all electric commercial aviation is feasible. The technology will mean significant cost savings for airlines and zero emissions. This marks the beginning of the era of electric aviation. '
It is understood that magnix has designed the engine of the aircraft and cooperated with Canadian harbour airlines, which is expected to transport 500000 passengers annually between Vancouver, Whistler ski resort, nearby islands and coastal communities.
With more and more people taking airplanes and the slow start of new technologies, civil aviation has become one of the fastest growing sources of carbon emissions. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has been encouraging the use of more efficient biofuel engines and lighter aircraft materials and optimizing routes.
The 62 year old dhc-2 de Havilland beaver, which can take six passengers, carries a 750 horsepower electric motor and is driven by Greg McDougall, founder and chief executive officer of Canadian harbour airlines.
McDougall said: 'to me, that flight was like flying a beaver, but it was a beaver with an electric stimulant. '
Shortly after sunrise, McDougall flew the plane over the Fraser River near Vancouver International Airport when more than 100 onlookers watched.
According to an AFP reporter at the scene, the flight lasted less than 15 minutes.
"Our goal is to really electrify the entire fleet, and there's no reason not to.
Compared with previous fuel engines, the company can save millions of dollars in maintenance costs, because the maintenance cost of electric motors is much less than that of fuel engines. '
Battery powered power will also be a challenge, ganzaski said.
The plane on Tuesday's test flight can only fly about 100 miles on lithium batteries.
It's not far away, but it's enough for most of the short haul flights of Canadian harbor airlines.
Ganzaki said: 'although the current range is not what we expected, it is enough to start the revolution. '
Ganzaki predicted that batteries and motors that would power longer flights would eventually be developed.
He said: 'while the world is waiting, cheaper electric short haul flights can change the way people travel and where they work. If people are willing to drive an hour to work, why not take a 15 minute flight? "
Before his first flight, Canada's transport minister, Mark & middot; garno, said: 'I pray that the electric plane will work properly. If it is a trend of environmental protection, it will lead to more environmental protection. '
However, Gulf airlines will have to wait at least two years before it can begin to power its fleet of more than 40 seaplanes.
It is needed to further verify the safety and reliability of the aircraft.
In addition, the motor must be approved and certified by the regulatory body.
It is reported that magnix has been focusing on the development of the short haul aviation market.
According to the market research of magnix, there are about 2000 operators operating on routes with similar distances, carrying 8-15 passengers, and most of them are within 100 miles (161 km).
The unit price (the ratio of price to distance) of short distance routes is often more expensive than that of long-distance routes, and their operation frequency is also lower. In order to optimize the operating costs, airlines usually use the aircraft with smaller passenger capacity to fly these short distance routes.
The use of electric propulsion can greatly reduce the operating costs of short haul aviation, making small aircraft more frequent flight routes, and even promoting the rise of on-demand services.