Electric training aircraft in the RAF

[beardy]

Electric aircraft

Deepak Mahajan says seven Velis Electros are currently flying in the UK, with an eighth arriving soon. His school at Damyns Hall Aerodrome, Essex, was the first in the country to offer the full private pilot’s licence on electric planes. The RAF also has them as trainers, he said.

The featured distributor says that the RAF has them. Is this true?

[treadigraph]

According to Wikipedia, the Danish and Slovenian Air Forces are evaluating the Electros. Suspect maybe a "typo" in the Grauniad?

[muppetofthenorth]

Maybe more accurate way of looking at it is that the RAF has looked at and trialled them... https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles...rcraft-trials/

[beardy]

Originally Posted by muppetofthenorth

Maybe more accurate way of looking at it is that the RAF has looked at and trialled them... https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles...rcraft-trials/

Thank you for sharing that. 90 minute charge for a 60 minute flight, I wonder if that includes go around and diversion?

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by muppetofthenorth

Maybe more accurate way of looking at it is that the RAF has looked at and trialled them... https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles...rcraft-trials/

Also featured on the Pipistrel web site: British Royal Air Force is testing Pipistrel’s electric aircraft.

It helpfully adds that

Combat planes will remain jet-powered, because they are much faster this way.

[NutLoose]

And let's not forget English Electrics finest, a few of those still sitting on gates etc

[H Peacock]

Originally Posted by NutLoose

And let's not forget English Electrics finest, a few of those still sitting on gates etc

Sure is! Although the Canberra PR9 at Wyton could do with some TLC! 😂

[DaveReidUK]

Originally Posted by NutLoose

And let's not forget English Electrics finest, a few of those still sitting on gates etc

Who knew that the Lightning's notorious lack of endurance was down to battery capacity ... ?

[Bob Viking]

This place cracks me up.

A thread about modern electric training aircraft took until post #6 to start talking about jets from the 1960’s. Classic.

For what it’s worth, I think it’d be pretty amazing if the RAF could make use of a fleet of electric aircraft. Assuming they’re capable and practical.

BV

[Video Mixdown]

Originally Posted by Bob Viking

A thread about modern electric training aircraft took until post #6 to start talking about jets from the 1960’s. Classic.

For what it’s worth, I think it’d be pretty amazing if the RAF could make use of a fleet of electric aircraft. Assuming they’re capable and practical.

BV

How right you are. The linked article makes it clear that the MoD is quite rightly looking into what part electric aircraft might have in the UK military's future. Frank Whittle wouldn't have stood a chance with the many on this forum.

[Herod]

Not so sure, Bob. There could well be a place for them with the UAS and AEF units, especially of they can get the endurance up enough to allow a cross-country.

As for jets of the sixties, there could be a whole thread on the question of which was the best English Electric aircraft!!

[NutLoose]

Originally Posted by Bob Viking

A thread about modern electric training aircraft took until post #6 to start talking about jets from the 1960’s. Classic.

For what it’s worth, I think it’d be pretty amazing if the RAF could make use of a fleet of electric aircraft. Assuming they’re capable and practical.

BV

Hey that would be me... thanks very much.

I would have thought a hybrid would be a better bet, bury the engine in the fuselage driving a generator and have an electric engine / prop or two. Or a combination of the two.




Excellent read on the subject

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8207818/

https://www.rolls-royce.com/products...ropulsion.aspx

[Bob Viking]

Herod

I’m confused. Are you agreeing with me or disagreeing?

BV

[flyingorthopod]

Originally Posted by NutLoose

Hey that would be me... thanks very much.

I would have thought a hybrid would be a better bet, bury the engine in the fuselage driving a generator and have an electric engine / prop or two. Or a combination of the two.




Excellent read on the subject

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8207818/

https://www.rolls-royce.com/products...ropulsion.aspx

Pipistreal also have a hybrid in development, the Panthera. Or there are hydrogen options

[Herod]

Sorry, Bob. I probably misread your post. Re-reading it, I assume you are in favour, in which case we are on the same side.

[beardy]

Having asked the original question I am somewhat relieved that the RAF is looking at this. It makes sense to evaluate all relevant technologies and perhaps to assist the developers to refine their product into a usable format. Too often the thrill of the new is lost because it's not fit for a customer. I was surprised by the comment that they were in use already.

[dctyke]

I believe hybrid cars are 10% heavier than their petrol equivalents. A big issue to solve when it comes to hybrid aircraft.

[NutLoose]

This has to be the way forward ( watch the film too )

https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/pr...echnology.aspx

I wonder how the heck we will cap check all those batteries.

[Jackonicko]

I can't help but think that synthetic fuel (made from hydrogen from water and carbon from atmospheric CO2) and hydrogen itself might not offer a better long term option.

I wonder what Willy Hackett thinks?

[Timelord]

Let’s hope that someone remembers to organise the charging infrastructure as well as buying the aircraft.