Aircraft

The Paris Green Air Show 2010

The Paris Green Air Show 2010
Gizmag attended this year's Green Air Show in Paris to take a look at some of the eco-friendly aircraft currently available, as well those which may be just on the horizon.
Gizmag attended this year's Green Air Show in Paris to take a look at some of the eco-friendly aircraft currently available, as well those which may be just on the horizon.
View 25 Images
Gizmag attended this year's Green Air Show in Paris to take a look at some of the eco-friendly aircraft currently available, as well those which may be just on the horizon.
1/25
Gizmag attended this year's Green Air Show in Paris to take a look at some of the eco-friendly aircraft currently available, as well those which may be just on the horizon.
Crowds gathered all day to see the Green Cri
2/25
Crowds gathered all day to see the Green Cri
One of the few momenta alone, the Green Cri electric plane
3/25
One of the few momenta alone, the Green Cri electric plane
The star of the show was the Green Cri electric aircraft
4/25
The star of the show was the Green Cri electric aircraft
A model of the Montgolfier Brothers' balloon
5/25
A model of the Montgolfier Brothers' balloon
This RC model airship unnervingly followed visitors around during the exhibition
6/25
This RC model airship unnervingly followed visitors around during the exhibition
The entrance to the Musée de l'Air et l'Espace at Le Bourget in Paris
7/25
The entrance to the Musée de l'Air et l'Espace at Le Bourget in Paris
The Alatus-M personal electric microlight
8/25
The Alatus-M personal electric microlight
A glimpse into the past elsewhere in the Musée de l'Air et l'Espace
9/25
A glimpse into the past elsewhere in the Musée de l'Air et l'Espace
A future airship concept from Project Dirisoft
10/25
A future airship concept from Project Dirisoft
Aerial Concept's Elliptoplume and Project Dirisoft
11/25
Aerial Concept's Elliptoplume and Project Dirisoft
The Flying Yacht concept from Octuri
12/25
The Flying Yacht concept from Octuri
Future vision from Octuri
13/25
Future vision from Octuri
The all electric e-FunFlyer from Adventure
14/25
The all electric e-FunFlyer from Adventure
Some folks have all the fun - the e-FunFlyer
15/25
Some folks have all the fun - the e-FunFlyer
The huge wingspan of the Sunseeker II
16/25
The huge wingspan of the Sunseeker II
In the air, the Sunseeker II piloted by Eric Raymond
17/25
In the air, the Sunseeker II piloted by Eric Raymond
Like an enormous silver teardrop - the Zeppy 3 before preparations begin on the Toulon to Calvi crossing
18/25
Like an enormous silver teardrop - the Zeppy 3 before preparations begin on the Toulon to Calvi crossing
Stephane Rousson underneath the pedal-powered Zeppy airship
19/25
Stephane Rousson underneath the pedal-powered Zeppy airship
After a successful flight around Le Bourget, the Demoichelle electric plane
20/25
After a successful flight around Le Bourget, the Demoichelle electric plane
Old meets new with the Demoichelle electric plane
21/25
Old meets new with the Demoichelle electric plane
The team told Gizmag that it is now getting ready for a crossing of the English Channel
22/25
The team told Gizmag that it is now getting ready for a crossing of the English Channel
The Projet Sol'r booth
23/25
The Projet Sol'r booth
A sculpture by Martin Droit on show at the exhibition
24/25
A sculpture by Martin Droit on show at the exhibition
A glider simulation at the Vol a Voile stand
25/25
A glider simulation at the Vol a Voile stand
View gallery - 25 images

Gizmag attended this year's Green Aviation Show (Salon de l'aviation verte) in Paris to take a look at some of the eco-friendly aircraft currently available, as well those which may be just on the horizon. Although representatives from the airship contingent were out in force at the event, electrically-powered planes and paragliders also put in a strong showing, along with some rather interesting ideas for tomorrow's oil-free aircraft.

Although the almost regal presence of a couple of interconnected Concorde passenger jets dominated the exhibition hall which played host to this year's Green Air Show at Le Bourget's Musée de l'Air et l'Espace in Paris, they were not the main attraction. Spread around and underneath these mighty supersonic aircraft were the display booths of altogether gentler, kinder and much quieter technologies that are already in use today or hold the promise of providing our air transport needs for tomorrow.

The Flying Yacht concept from Octuri
The Flying Yacht concept from Octuri

Amongst the exhibitors preparing for the post-oil era were representatives from aircraft manufacturers and development concerns, sport and leisure interests, aerospace researchers, new material developers, independent inventors and visionary designers. Outside the main hall, organizers hosted the world's first zero emission air show which saw a small number of electrically-powered aircraft brave the winds and cloud cover and triumphantly take to the skies.

This RC model airship unnervingly followed visitors around during the exhibition
This RC model airship unnervingly followed visitors around during the exhibition

A full list of attendees at the second Salon de l'Aviation Verte is available online and Gizmag will be detailing some of the exhibits in subsequent posts. But for now, here's a sample of some of the technology on offer:

The e-FunFlyer from Adventure is an 85kg fully electric paraglide trike with a 15kW electric motor powered by a 60v battery which should give the pilot a good hour or so of mid-air fun. And if the short demonstration on the airfield was anything to by, fun is definitely the operative word!

Some folks have all the fun - the e-FunFlyer
Some folks have all the fun - the e-FunFlyer

A pedal-powered silver teardrop blimp, the Zeppy 3 from Stéphane Rousson is currently being prepared for a Toulon to Calvi crossing using a "Chien de mer" and the power of the wind.

Like an enormous silver teardrop - the Zeppy 3 before preparations begin on the Toulon to Calvi crossing
Like an enormous silver teardrop - the Zeppy 3 before preparations begin on the Toulon to Calvi crossing

On the subject of airships, the students from Projet Sol'r also attended the event and are now busy preparing for a crossing of the English Channel.

The Projet Sol'r booth
The Projet Sol'r booth

Although the news of an upcoming solar-powered two-seater from Eric Raymond was the focus for much discussion at the show, the huge wingspan of the solar-powered Sunseeker II still held sway over the exhibit and put in an inspiring performance up in the skies too.

The huge wingspan of the Sunseeker II
The huge wingspan of the Sunseeker II

If an eco-friendly version of the film Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines were ever to be made, then the successful blend of old and new that is the electric Demoichelle from APEV would surely have a starring role. The aircraft was on display in the main hall and made a brief appearance in the skies above Le Bourget during the zero emission air show.

Old meets new with the Demoichelle electric plane
Old meets new with the Demoichelle electric plane

Also on the airfield but doing little more than sit very still for photo opportunities, the undoubted star of the show was the four motor electric Green Cri from EADS Innovation Works and Aero Composites.

The star of the show was the Green Cri electric aircraft
The star of the show was the Green Cri electric aircraft

Visions of possible green futures were provided courtesy of Projet Dirisoft and Octuri.

Aerial Concept's Elliptoplume and Project Dirisoft
Aerial Concept's Elliptoplume and Project Dirisoft

Of course, the Musée also showcases green air transport of old too - such as this model of Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier's balloon and various winged craft, including mock ups of famous visions from Leonardo da Vinci.

A model of the Montgolfier Brothers' balloon
A model of the Montgolfier Brothers' balloon

Keep an eye on Gizmag over the next few days for more in-depth articles on some of technologies on display at the Salon de l'aviation verte site.

View gallery - 25 images
2 comments
2 comments
darkan9el
Isn\'t it amazing what humankind can come up with when the NEED is there, shame it didn\'t happen 100 years before, but now we have an ultimatum all the big companies are miraculously finding the money and resources to create viable alternatives to their dwindling revenue generator OIL and GAS.
That \'cynically\' said, potentially we have an amazing time ahead with inventors and engineers shaping the future. Remember kids, engineering is the new rock and roll ;-)
Facebook User
The \"post oil era\"? When is that? In about 1,000-2,000 years,? I\'d say it\'s a bit beyond the planning horizon of most businesses, unless someone unveils a novel power source, such as nuclear, antimatter or zero-point energy that\'s small, light and safe within the next 10-20 years. Don\'t worry, folks. At present rates of usage, with a little care, the Earth has proven reserves of petroleum to last humanity for many centuries.