Aero Electric Sun Flyer
| Sun Flyer | |
|---|---|
| Role | Electric aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Aero Electric Aircraft Corporation |
| Status | Under development (2016) |
| Number built | 1 |
| Unit cost | |
The Aero Electric Sun Flyer is an American electric light aircraft designed and under development by Aero Electric Aircraft Corporation of Denver, Colorado. It was first publicly introduced at the Centennial Airport in Colorado on 11 May 2016. The aircraft is intended to be certified in the Primary Category and supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[1][2]
Design and development
The aircraft has been designed specifically for the flight training market and will have a three-hour duration.[1][2] Arion Aircraft of Shelbyville, Tennessee constructed the prototype and delivered it in March 2016.[3][4]
The Sun Flyer features a cantilever low-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed open cockpit under a bubble canopy, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single electric motor in tractor configuration, powered by up to five quick-change Lithium-ion battery packs.[1][2][3]
The aircraft is made from composite material, primarily carbon fibre. The wings mount solar cells for in-flight recharging of the batteries and that will able to provide about 15-20% of low-power cruise power requirements. The cockpit employs an iPad used for cockpit instrumentation display, including motor, battery and aircraft systems. The aircraft connects to Redbird Flight Simulations' Sidekick system, which wirelessly tracks the Sun Flyer's engine, flight time, physical location and attitude in real time when in flight.[1][3]
The aircraft has a gross weight of 2,700 lb (1,200 kg).[1] The take-off noise profile is expected to be 55 dB.[5]
Ground and taxi tests on the prototype were started in November 2016.[6]
Operational history
By May 2016 one example, the prototype, had its registration reserved prior to flight in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration.[7]
In April 2016 the company had 65 deposits for the aircraft.[8]
Operators
The following organizations have ordered the aircraft:
- Bloomington Corporation - 30[9]
- Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology - 25[2]
Specifications (Sun Flyer)
Data from AVweb[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Gross weight: 2,700 lb (1,225 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × electric motor with up to five lithium-ion battery packs
- Propellers: 2-bladed composite
Performance
- Endurance: 3 hours
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Sun Flyer Promises Three-Hour Flight Time". avweb.com. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 "Sun Flyer Proof-Of-Concept Model Rolls Out". avweb.com. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- 1 2 3 "Sun Flyer Prototype Readying For Final Tests". avweb.com. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ↑ "Sun Flyer Prototype On Assembly Line". avweb.com. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ↑ "Sun Flyer by AEAC Aero Electric Aircraft Corporation". Sun Flyer by AEAC Aero Electric Aircraft Corporation. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ↑ Kauh, Elaine (17 November 2016). "Sun Flyer Begins Ground, Taxi Tests". AVweb. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (13 May 2016). "N-Number Inquiry Results". Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ↑ "Sun Flyer by AEAC Aero Electric Aircraft Corporation". Sun Flyer by AEAC Aero Electric Aircraft Corporation. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ↑ "Sun Flyer Adds To Order Book". avweb.com. Retrieved 13 May 2016.