The single seat Elektra One recently flew for the first time and followed its maiden voyage with an impressive 30 minute, second flight. Both flights took place in Augsburg, Germany.
During the first flight, performed by former Scaled Composites test pilot and engineer Jon Karkow, the Elektra One climbed to more than 500 meters (1,640 feet) and used roughly half of the 6 kilowatt hours available in the batteries. The second flight, which took place on Wednesday, was performed by German test pilot Norbert Lorenze.
The small, but sleek airplane weighs just 100 kilograms (220 pounds) empty and carries another 100 kilograms worth of batteries. With a maximum weight of 300 kg, there is still enough room for a larger than average pilot.
Designed for use in Germany and other European countries where both noise restrictions and emissions are carefully monitored, PC-Aero’s CEO Calin Gologan has set ambitious goals of more than three hours of endurance. At cruise speeds, the company says the propeller spins at only 1,400 RPM to keep noise to a minimum. With electric airplanes, that noise is already rather minimal as we discovered during our flight.
PC-Aero's Elektra One during its second flight.
The three hour endurance goal translates to more than a 400 km (~250 miles) range according to PC-Aero. These numbers are on the optimistic side based on similar electric aircraft designs, but the aerodynamic, single seat design does show great promise and could be very appealing to flying clubs. Both the endurance and the cruise speed have yet to be explored, but the company plans continuing flight tests in the coming months including a variable pitch propeller and retractable landing gear.
The composite Elektra One is part of a zero emissions flight plan Gologan is developing. In addition to the electric aircraft, Gologan is promoting solar powered hangars to store the aircraft (the wingspan is just over 28 feet). He believes with 20 square meters of solar cells (215 sq. ft.), the Elektra one could fly 300 hours a year based on the sunlight for southern Germany.
He hopes to sell the airplane, hangar and power package for less than 100,000 Euros ($140,000). The Elektra One will be on display at Aero Friedrichshafen next month and is expected to compete in the green flight challenge in July.
Top photo: Jean-Marie Urlacher/Info-Pilote, Other photos: PC-Aero
Elektra One designer and company CEO Calin Gologan and test pilot Jon Karkow after first flight.
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