The E-Fan 1.2 electric hybrid is one of two small experimental planes Airbus Group has built as part of a larger program aimed at developing an electric powered regional airliner that can carry 100 people about 600 miles by 2030. Click through the gallery for more.
The E-Fan 1.2 electric hybrid is one of two small experimental planes Airbus Group has built as part of a larger program aimed at developing an electric powered regional airliner that can carry 100 people about 600 miles by 2030. Click through the gallery for more.
AIRBUS
E-Fan lead test pilot and designer Didier Esteyne unveiled Airbus' new electric hybrid to America for the first time last month at the AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
E-Fan lead test pilot and designer Didier Esteyne unveiled Airbus' new electric hybrid to America for the first time last month at the AirVenture air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
AIRBUS
The plane was so new, it wasn't authorized to fly in the U.S., although it had flown a handful of test flights in France, shown here in these Airbus photos.
The plane was so new, it wasn't authorized to fly in the U.S., although it had flown a handful of test flights in France, shown here in these Airbus photos.
airbus
The single-seater plane's thrust comes from two ducted fan engines, which are powered by lithium-ion batteries mounted in the aircraft's wings.
The single-seater plane's thrust comes from two ducted fan engines, which are powered by lithium-ion batteries mounted in the aircraft's wings.
AIRBUS
A small combustion engine, fueled by regular avgas, is used only to charge the batteries during the cruise stage of each flight. Range is about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
A small combustion engine, fueled by regular avgas, is used only to charge the batteries during the cruise stage of each flight. Range is about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
AIRBUS
The combustion engine sits behind the cockpit.
The combustion engine sits behind the cockpit.
AIRBUS
The Airbus hybrid 1.2 was preceded by a two-seater, all-electric aircraft called the E-Fan 1.1.
The Airbus hybrid 1.2 was preceded by a two-seater, all-electric aircraft called the E-Fan 1.1.
Courtesy Airbus
With Esteyne at the controls, the E-Fan 1.1 made headlines in 2015 by crossing the English Channel.
With Esteyne at the controls, the E-Fan 1.1 made headlines in 2015 by crossing the English Channel.
Larry Fisher
"Even though I was flying alone, we were many people together when I crossed the Channel," Esteyne recalled.
"Even though I was flying alone, we were many people together when I crossed the Channel," Esteyne recalled.
AIRBUS