SourceAn all-electric powered seaplane has taken flight in Vancouver, Canada, in what the operators describe as a "world first" for the aviation industry.
The short test flight by Harbour Air and magniX involved a six-passenger aircraft fitted with an electric motor.
Pretty much the bold bit. The energy density of batteries is still a couple of orders of magnitude short of jet fuel, nowhere near enough to power a large plane for long. From Science Direct:Can someone enlighten me on why this is a big deal and why it's not rather common already?
I get that batteries are heavy, but I wouldn't think they would be that much heavier than a full fuel cell to make it a big deal. Obviously with larger jets those few extra pounds will add up quick, but with smaller aircraft like this one, it seems like it would be easy to someone like myself with zero knowledge or understanding.
Oh Lordie, didn't know it was that big of a disparity still. People talk like batteries have really closed the gap lately. Stupid me for not looking into the data itself and just rolling with what I hear.Pretty much the bold bit. The energy density of batteries is still a couple of orders of magnitude short of jet fuel, nowhere near enough to power a large plane for long. From Science Direct:
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One other drawback is that planes get lighter as they burn fuel, extending their range, whereas batteries maintain the same weight throughout the flight.
They've got a lot better recently, but still nowhere near fossil fuels. The difference is partially mitigated by the efficiency of electric motors vs their fossil fuel alternatives, but that still brings it to a factor of 40-50 times less energy dense (for cars at least).Oh Lordie, didn't know it was that big of a disparity still. People talk like batteries have really closed the gap lately. Stupid me for not looking into the data itself and just rolling with what I hear.
Thanks for the heads up
This is new? Lithium batteries have been around a while and even without them some short hop was possible.![]()
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Awesome stuff, and in my back yard too. What the article doesn't mention is that the test flight was done by the company's CEO - now there's someone who believes in leadership.
Before people start, a few obvious points:
- Yes, the range is limited, but Harbour Air typically only flies routes <70nm, which are within the range of this plane (with adequate margin)
- Yes, this would not work for longer routes
- Yes, it's only carbon neutral if you generate the power in a renewable manner, which in BC we do (~95 renewable)
- Yes, they still have to prove reliability
lol, Nautical Miles not Nano MetersThis is new? Lithium batteries have been around a while and even without them some short hop was possible.
70 nano meters sure is an easy range to achieve.
It does work for longer routes but not so much with heavy passengers and a heavy aircraft.
Reliability... probably miles better than controlled explosion engines.
Yes batteries are still insanely behind burnable fuels in energy density and weight.
nm in this context would be Nautical Miles, the standard unit of distance for aviation, although to be fair I got the case wrong (should be NM, or nmi)70 nano meters sure is an easy range to achieve.
Isn't the energy output of batteries also affected by temperature?Pretty much the bold bit. The energy density of batteries is still a couple of orders of magnitude short of jet fuel, nowhere near enough to power a large plane for long. From Science Direct:
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One other drawback is that planes get lighter as they burn fuel, extending their range, whereas batteries maintain the same weight throughout the flight.
sure seems that way every winterIsn't the energy output of batteries also affected by temperature?
That's pretty awesome! I bet it's an unusual feeling to fly a plane that size without the engine exhaust noise. I loved the switched to electric in rc planes, they started sounding awesome with nothing but prop noise.
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Awesome stuff, and in my back yard too. What the article doesn't mention is that the test flight was done by the company's CEO - now there's someone who believes in leadership.
Before people start, a few obvious points:
- Yes, the range is limited, but Harbour Air typically only flies routes <70nmi, which are within the range of this plane (with adequate margin)
- Yes, this would not work for longer routes
- Yes, it's only carbon neutral if you generate the power in a renewable manner, which in BC we do (~95 renewable)
- Yes, they still have to prove reliability
Yes and something all this marketing will never tell you. Its the reason teslas can only win short drag races and cant beat a diesel van on a long track like the 'ring.Isn't the energy output of batteries also affected by temperature?
This was true before the Model 3 because the battery system didn't have the active cooling capacity to dissipate the heat. It simply wasn't on the list of features they optimized for and surprisingly it wasn't even the batteries performance directly, but the fire protection system which limited the performance. However with the massive advancements they kept making, the 3's battery has been substantially redesigned to handle this kind of scenario. The Model S Plaid, and the Porsche Taycon are also just as track capable.Yes and something all this marketing will never tell you. Its the reason teslas can only win short drag races and cant beat a diesel van on a long track like the 'ring.