Intelligent Aerospace - Courtney E. Howard
"Hybrid electric
flight represents one of the biggest industrial challenges of our time,
and our goal is to create aircraft designs that generate zero
emissions," explains Andy Anderson, chief operating officer for the
Corporate Technology Office at Airbus Group in San Jose, California.
Airbus Group officials debuted the E-Fan 1.2 experimental electric aircraft during EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with a new hybrid electric/gas engine.
Airbus executives are on a mission to one day replace fossil fuels in
aviation, including with the help of E-Fan technology. As part of
Airbus Group's commitment to pioneering the future of energy-efficient
aviation, the company developed the E-Fan 1.1, an experimental aircraft
to validate the concept of electric-powered flight. Last year, the plane
made aviation history as the first electric-powered aircraft to cross
the English Channel.
"With
the E-Fan 1.2, we're continuing to explore innovative approaches to more
environmentally friendly technologies as possible alternatives to
fossil fuels. Using insights gained from the E-Fan program, we hope to
reduce – and possibly eliminate – the use of fossil fuels in aviation
design within the next 30 to 40 years," Anderson says.
The
E-Fan 1.2 operates on a hybrid engine to reduce noise, vibration, and
weight of the plane while increasing battery capacity and extending
range. With this hybrid engine, the E-Fan has significantly reduced its
noise level and operates on an electric taxiing system, officials say.
The
U.S. debut provided aviation experts and enthusiasts the opportunity to
view the hybrid engine for the first time publicly and learn more about
Airbus Group's vision for the future of green aviation.
Since
its founding in 2011, the Airbus E-Fan project has worked to develop
more energy efficient aircraft. The project is aligned with the European
Commission's "Flightpath 2050" goals, which call for significant
reductions in aircraft carbon dioxide emissions and noise to ensure the
sustainable development of the aviation industry. As a flying technology
test bed, the Airbus E-Fan is promoting research in electric propulsion
and the certification of electrical flight concepts.
Airbus Group Inc. is the U.S.-based operation of Airbus Group, a
provider of aeronautics, space, and related services. Airbus Group
contributes more than $16.5 billion to the U.S. economy annually and
supports over 250,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers.
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