EADS Presents 4-engined Electric Version of Cri-Cri Aerobatic Plane
21 June 2010
EADS Innovation Works, in partnership with Aero Composites Saintonge and the Greencri-cri Association, is presenting Cri-Cri, a four-engined all-electric aerobatic plane based on the tiny homebuilt Cri-Cri (cricket) designed by Michel Colomban, at the Green Aviation Show in Le Bourget, France from 18 to 22 June.
The aerobatic plane incorporates technologies such as lightweight composite structures that reduce the weight of the airframe and compensate for the additional weight of the batteries, four brushless electric motors with counter-rotating propellers, and high energy-density Lithium-ion batteries.
The Cri-Cri offers 30 minutes of autonomous cruise flight at 110 km/h (68 mph), 15 minutes of autonomous aerobatics at speeds reaching up to 250 km/h (155 mph), and a climb rate of approximately 5.3 m/sec.
Set to undergo its first flight tests in the next few days, this four-engine electric plane paves the way for a new generation of environment-friendly high-performance aircraft, EADS said.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2009, the Group—comprising Airbus, Eurocopter, EADS Astrium and EADS Defence & Security—generated revenues of €42.8 billion (US$53 billion) and employed a workforce of more than 119,000.
Sounds fun.
Posted by: kelly | 21 June 2010 at 10:56 AM
Not on point, but interesting none the less, I saw a story about a Russian aerobatic plane that had a pneumatic starter. The Russian winters are too cold for batteries, so they charged a gas cylinder with air and it starts every time.
Posted by: SJC | 22 June 2010 at 11:21 AM
If aircraft were designed to consume 80% less energy and batteries were improved by 5x to 10x, small electric airplanes could become a reality. With 30+% efficient ultra light PV over all areas exposed to the sun, such e-plane could fly continually during sunny hours and 24/7 with enough batteries. It is just a matter of time before it becomes a reality.
Posted by: HarveyD | 23 June 2010 at 08:49 AM
A plane was built that was powered by a radar beam and more of them should be now tested. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 24 June 2010 at 12:36 AM