Thu Jan 03, 2019 4:31 pm
#1662443
I've flown the 912 engined Pipistrel Alpha when the company put a type course on for BMAA inspectors, it really impressed me as a training aeroplane, but may be a bit of a handful if you're used to heavy handling GA like the C172 or PA28.
40 minutes sounds about right to me for endurance before reserves. (E)26k per battery pack, and a warranted 700 recharge cycle life on them - say double that in reality means that the wet rate will not be trivial. But, let's say 1000hrs per battery set, at (E)26k, only a few euros per flight for the electricity - that's (E)30/hr + aeroplane fixed costs. So around half an SEP doesn't seem unreasonably - just there's a big front-loading cost. Not unlike having an engine fund really.
Personally I think that some form of "differences training" is totally appropriate and necessary between CEP (Centreline Electric Propulsion) and SEP, but don't see why it needs to be any more complex than, say, going from nosewheel to tailwheel, or analogue instruments to EFIS. There are issues however, to do with power management / switching / emergency handling / W&CG that need to be understood and will differ between the two.
G
40 minutes sounds about right to me for endurance before reserves. (E)26k per battery pack, and a warranted 700 recharge cycle life on them - say double that in reality means that the wet rate will not be trivial. But, let's say 1000hrs per battery set, at (E)26k, only a few euros per flight for the electricity - that's (E)30/hr + aeroplane fixed costs. So around half an SEP doesn't seem unreasonably - just there's a big front-loading cost. Not unlike having an engine fund really.
Personally I think that some form of "differences training" is totally appropriate and necessary between CEP (Centreline Electric Propulsion) and SEP, but don't see why it needs to be any more complex than, say, going from nosewheel to tailwheel, or analogue instruments to EFIS. There are issues however, to do with power management / switching / emergency handling / W&CG that need to be understood and will differ between the two.
G
I am Spartacus, and so is my co-pilot.