Why don't we have electric planes yet?
 

More global warming propaganda from CNBC:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49yDycP3Pgc

Coal powered airplanes. Nice.

Why don't we have electric airplanes.

(shows videos filled with electric airplanes)

I can do it. I still have my Furnace Fireman competency card from the AF.

The first electric plane was already flown by an airline. It is an all floatplane airline in Vancouver. They are re-enginning all their floatplanes with electric motors. Cape Air is the second airline that has ordered electric aircraft. They ordered double-digit numbers of the electric plane that was shown at the Paris Airshow this year. Scandinavia is planning electric regional aircraft by 2025.

I would assume that they would not use these A/C for remote charters.

Doubt it. Without a fundamental change in the laws of physics battery powered aircraft with any commercial useful load are limited to about 100 miles max. Improvements in battery efficiency by a factor of 3-4 is with the realm of the possible in years to come, that could get you to several hundred miles range.

Beyond that, gonna have to burn something (hybrid could improve fuel efficiency).

I can definitely see some niche short-range regional ops going all electric soon.

I'm not sure I'd be all carried away with plugging in on a wet dock.

Or knee deep off a beach!

GF

Because we are just getting started with viable electric vehicles that are practical?

Rubber gloves and boots?

Well, they plug boats into shore power.

Lots of things get plugged into shore/ground power in wet environments. Boats, planes, RV's, cargo containers, etc.

The common theme? The power cord is turned off while a person is connecting it, and only switched on after the connection is made. It's not like your vacuum cleaner at home.

True, but in 30 years of boating I have yet to see a shore power connection that doesn't show major signs of arcing. 120v-30a.

I agree with G.F. I can't see slogging in 2 ft. of water with a 240/50 snake over my shoulder. I have no faith.

Like EV's, to quickly charge airplane batteries will require higher voltages and current capacity. That will require custom designed connectors, which would obviously need to be designed to handle the operating environment. Not utterly foolproof of course.

Of course you could do short legs with just a 600 mile long extension cord...

:)

Not sure if you know how these airplanes are operated. They are docked only at improved and dedicated facilities. Many are kept kept in the water at all times (on inspection programs that account for the marine environment). Sure there will be controls, but I see little difference between this and hooking up a large boat to shore power. Controls and technology will be needed of course, but this isn’t insurmountable.

Or a plane that has no corrosion.

The difference being connections being made several times a day as opposed to twice, three times a week. Not insurmountable, but difficult. I can think of only a few operations that would work with,say, Kenmore.

I think that's the target demographic, and it wouldn't work for every application they do, but there are some situations where it may work well.

Yes, I’ve seen Kenmore’s and Harbour Air’s operation, but they are floatplanes, beaches, poor ramps in the bush are part of the deal.

The market is driving these electric planes.
It would be a huge advantage to cut 1/4 or 1/3 of the rental price out of the equation.

The amount of Amps needed to be pushed to the aircraft for a quick charge is nothing like shore power for a boat. A valid comparison is not even possible. Next time you get a chance take a look at the power cords for the new quick charge auto facilities. Cord length is also critical. To push those kinds of AMPS cords must be kept short or have massive diameters.

I can't imagine how long a battery would last under those conditions as well. For an airliner, you might get 5 years if you are lucky. I think to be viable, the battery would have to swapped out every flight, and sent to a recharge facility at the airport, the logistics would be impossible really.

Current capacity of the cord can be solved with diameter and/or materials.

That's off-the-shelf technology, heavy industry does it all the time.

The connector might have to be special. Large ships don't "plug in" to shore power, they actually hard-wire the shore power wires to the ship's electrical bus. It only takes a few minutes, but it's probably a little too technical for line use. And you need to be absolutely certain the breakers are off before you bolt a wire to a high-voltage bus :rolleyes:

Probably just need a connector with a mechanical latch-in feature and good seals. As opposed to the current 115VAC 400Hz aircraft push-in plugs, which has the same arcing potential as residential house current.

Proper insulation and cord lengths that don’t allow contact with the dock or water. Build a terminal on the dock and a switch on shore. Lights/audible warning to signal when charging.