South Australian-based Eyre to There Aviation Consulting aims to be Australia’s first electric aircraft maker after securing a deal to build Pipistrel’s Alpha Electro aircraft in Adelaide.
The EV aircraft designed by Slovenian light aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel is geared towards the flight training market and 15 assembled aircraft will be brought in while an assembly line in Adelaide gears up to make about 100 aircraft annually.
The first took its maiden SA flight recently.
The two-seater will be tailored for use in flight schools, with a short take-off distance and a 304 metre a minute climb capability.
Australia is the only country that already certifies electric aircraft for training purposes, so has an opportunity to be a world leader, managing director Barrie Rogers says.
“Electric aircraft are cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, are significantly quieter than conventional aircraft and don’t rely on fossil fuels. And they are ideally suited for short range flight training activities,” Manufacturer’s Monthly News reports.
“We’re using battery technology rather than fuel technology, less maintenance and from a training point of view, obviously, a lot less operating cost.”
The battery’s heavy weight was unsuitable for use in aircraft, but Rogers says technological advancements have reduced battery size to where electric aircraft are now commercially viable.
“Electric aircraft don’t yet have the range of other aircraft but they’re perfect for short flights such as flight training and particularly circuit training, which is a core activity in obtaining a private pilot licence.”
Rogers says it’s the right time to introduce the new technology as the average age of a small single engine aircraft in Australia is 36.4 years, with many nearing the end of their life span.
He says his company sees the chance to offer a new, low-cost aircraft with zero emissions and
Rogers wants to take one to Melbourne shortly.
The deal comes just days after SA also saw the successful testing at Woomera of a British aerospace, defence and security company BAE Systems’ solar-powered, pilot-less aircraft which it says can remain airborne for up to a year.
It’s called a Persistent High-Altitude Solar Aircraft (PHASA-35), has a 35-metre wingspan and can work with 5G.
The aircraft also involves a Slovenian company, Prismatic.
More flight trials are planned.
