Two different planes, powered by electric propulsion systems developed by Rolls-Royce, have restarted their test flights in the last ten days. Bye Aerospace eFlyer 2 prototype and technology demonstrator CityAirbus makes short flights to showcase this technology.
The Bye Aerospace 2-seat eFlyer 2 is planned to be the first FAA certified, practical, fully electric aircraft to serve the flight training and general aviation markets. The aircraft was designed and still being developed by Bye Aerospace located in Colorado, USA. Rolls-Royce undertakes the procurement of the Electric Drive Unit (EPU), which consists of a 70kW electric motor, related power electronics inverter and related motor controller. Developed by the Rolls-Royce Electrical Systems team in Budapest, Hungary, this system started test flights in early 2019.
Bye Aerospace tests various propellers and propeller settings to optimize the aircraft's performance factors such as climbing and cruising. These flight tests provide an important opportunity to make system-level system integration and final settings for overall platform performance before the official certification tests in 2021 begin.
Mike Mekhiche, Director of the Rolls-Royce Electrical Systems Program, said: “We are delighted to see that the eFlyer 2 and CityAirbus demonstrators, powered by our propulsion systems, have restarted their flights. These tests are of great importance for both our aircraft bodybuilder customers and for us. The tests are also an important step in the certification and commercial launch journey. ”
Rolls-Royce plans to launch the first certified electric drive for the small propeller aircraft market by 2023. Fossil fuel is not used in eFlyer 2, and as a result, pilot training flights become emission-free and cost-competitive. Thanks to its low operating costs, the aircraft can meet the training needs of future pilots competitively and is taking firm steps towards turning into an important element in order to make the aviation industry more sustainable in the future.
We are in an exciting period for the groundbreaking and developing Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) planes and eVTOL market. Many start-up companies and well-established industry players are struggling to become the first company to commercialize future air taxis. Rolls-Royce, who developed the drive system for the CityAirbus demonstrator with Airbus, is at the forefront of this struggle. The fully electrically operated octocopter is designed to carry up to four passengers at a maximum speed of 75 miles per hour (120 km).
The designed octocopter rotates at a speed of less than 1.000 rpm with eight propellers for acoustic control and quieter flight. One of the Rolls-Royce Electrical Systems teams in Munich, Germany is an electric motor consisting of a 200kW electric motor, as well as the corresponding power electronics, control, power protection and distribution system developed to produce, distribute and manage the required high electro-mechanical torque. developed the system. This created power reaches a very high propulsion force thanks to the platform propellers rotating at low speed.
Program Director Mike Mekhiche continued: “Both projects are an important indicator that Rolls-Royce can provide the innovative and sustainable propulsion technology required for different-sized aircraft of the future. This technology provides significant opportunities for the urban air mobility market, which is a highly controversial market, and various other segments of the aviation market. ”
CityAirbus's first independent flight took place in December 2019. Flights are now organized as part of a comprehensive new testing program, including altitude tests. Rolls-Royce teams aim to reach new heights with technology that can help shape travel in the coming years.
About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc
- Rolls-Royce is the leading manufacturer of advanced technologies that bring the cleanest, safest and most competitive solutions to meet the basic energy needs of our planet.
- Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries. These include over 400 airline and leasing customers, 160 armed forces, and over 70 energy and nuclear customers, including 5.000 navies.
- The economic profit for 2019 is £ 15,3 billion. Approximately half of this amount was obtained from after-sales services.
- Rolls-Royce invested £ 2019 billion in R&D in 1,45. In addition, Rolls-Royce supports a global network of 29 different University Technology Centers that make their engineers a pioneer of scientific research.
- The group strongly adheres to the principle of intern and new graduate employment and the development of employees' skills.
Hibya News Agency
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