Flying Full Circle

Electric Plane Makes Maiden Flight

Company Aims For Oshkosh Unveiling

Yuneec International's E430 electric-powered aircraft made its first flights in China on Friday morning, June 12. After further flight testing is completed, the composite airplane will be shipped to the United States, where company officials hope to gain certification in the experimental category. Once that's achieved, Yuneec plans to ship the aircraft to Oshkosh for EAA AirVenture 2009, where Yuneec hopes to show the aviation world a glimpse into the future of recreational aviation.

A total of four flights took place on June 12, consisting of four short (one-minute), straight-line hops to test controls, response, and power systems. All went well, according to test pilot Shun Xun, who reported the E430 had plenty of power, was smooth (vibration-free) and that the noise levels inside were low. Takeoff speed was 65 km/h (40 mph) and flight speed was 90 km/h (56 mph). Xun, 35, is a 3,600-hour ex-Chinese military jet pilot who has scratch-built and flown his own coaxial helicopter.

"We very much want to do everything we can so we can demonstrate the airplane at Oshkosh," said Clive Coote, Yuneec managing director located in the United Kingdom. "Everyone is very excited."

Test pilot Shun Xun in the
E430 electric-powered airplane

After further exploring the flight envelope, Coote said the E430 will be shipped to Los Angeles, California, and transported to Camarillo Airport. There it will undergo FAA certification testing with test pilot and longtime EAA member Dave Morss, EAA 133735, at the controls.

Yuneec will have two separate exhibits at Oshkosh and will display the E430 along with the E-PAC electric paramotor unit; a Part 103-legal Flightstar E-Spyder electric ultralight from Flightstar, Inc.; and an electric hang glider, code-named E-Delta. Exhibit locations: 420/421 in the Main Aircraft Display area and 934 in the Ultralight area. The company will also display the Yuneec Power Drive electric flight plug-and-play systems. For more information, visit the company's website.

E430 Specifications:

• Wing Span: 13.8 m (45.2 ft)
  
• Fuselage Length: 6.68 m (21.9 ft)
  
• Empty Weight: 178 kg (392 lbs) (No Battery)
  
• Maximum Takeoff Weight: 430 kg (946 lbs)
  
• Motor Output: 40 kw (54 hp) @ 2,450rpm
  
• Battery Type: Lithium Polymer
  
• Battery Weight (6 Packs): 72 kg (158.5 lbs)

Solar-powered Sunseeker II crosses the Alps

99 years after the first crossing of the Alps in an aeroplane by Geo Chávez flying a Blériot XI, on 14th April 2009 Eric Raymond completed the same journey in the solar-powered Sunseeker II, thereby becoming the first solar-powered aeroplane to make the journey.

The flight started in Butwilll (SUI) and ended with a successful landing some five hours later in Torino (ITA). During the flight Eric encountered some very challenging weather conditions: "It was one of the most difficult things that I have ever done", said Eric, "but it was also the most beautiful flight I have ever made. It was very cloudy, but after fighting to gain altitude I got over the clouds and cruised on direct solar power, eventually climbing to 13,700 ft. It was amazing to see the peaks of the mountains coming upthrough the clouds. I could clearly see the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc over the clouds".

Sunseeker II has evolved from Eric's first plane, Sunseeker. Extensive modifications have led to an almost entirely new aeroplane, complete with new wing, motor, propeller, tail, electronics and lithium polymer batteries. The original Sunseeker flew across the United States in 1990, clocking up 121 hours in 21 flights. Eric hopes to achieve an FAI world record later this year with a non-stop flight from Zurich to Barcelona.

You can keep up to date with Sunseeker II's progress by visiting http://www.solar-flight.com/. Eric Raymond and Sunseeker II are due to take part in the Experimental Aircraft class of the FAI World Air Games in Turin on 6-14 June. Click here to visit the World Air Games website to read more.