The Yuneec E430 aims to be the world's first commercially available electric aircraft

15:30 June 22, 2009 PDT

Plug-n-fly: the Yuneec E430 electric aircraft

Yuneec's E430 is a twin seat, single engine, LSA class aircraft with a significant difference to every commercially available plane that has come before it – it's entirely electric. The lightweight composite-construction E430 charges in three hours from a domestic 230 volt powerpoint, runs for two and half hours on a charge and the all-up cost will be USD$89,000 when it goes on sale this time next year.

The plane made its maiden flight in the hands of test pilot Shun Xun on June 12 at the Yuneec factory near Shanghai, China, and is reportedly both very quiet and vibration-free.

The E430 is designed with simplicity as its main user benefit – low maintenance, simple to fly, and with the experience of flight significantly enhanced by the low noise and lack of vibration.

The plane was loaded into a container this afternoon for shipping to California where it will undergo FAA certification testing before its international debut at the Oshkosh EAA AirVenture 2009 next month. Specification:

Wing Span: 13.8 m (45.2 ft) Fuselage Length: 6.68 m (21.9 ft) Empty Weight: 178 kg (392 lbs) (No Battery) Maximum Takeoff Weight: 430 kg (946 lbs) Motor Output: 40 kw (54 hp) @ 2,450rpm Battery Type: Lithium Polymer Battery Weight: 72 kg (158.5 lbs) (6 Packs)

Tags

» Eco-friendly
» electric aircraft

User Comments (6)

Here I am again. No matter how cute the airplane, non professionals should not fly.

Imagine the carnage when an E430 is not where it should be and is sucked into the turbo-fan of a 747 on close final.

curmudgin

- June 23, 2009 @ 12:06 pm PDT

Where do you get the idea that just anyone will be flying an E430? I suppose only professionals should drive. Imagine the damage when a Cooper Mini gets in the way of an eighteen-wheeler.

I will agree that only licensed pilots should fly aircraft that require licenses. FAA and ICAO rules and regulations are clear about the responsibilities of all pilots whether the aircraft they are flying requires a license or not. Ignorance of the law does not remove culpability in flight anymore than it does on the ground.

xearthmover69

- June 25, 2009 @ 12:06 pm PDT

Nothing wrong with easy to fly planes, but I do agree there should be a long, long training period.....

However, my main problem is with the article. Range? Hello? How far can it go on one charge?

I think the future of aviation are hybrid designs. This will allow for much more power on takeoff and in emergencies using an electric motor; it will also allow a craft to land with power even if the engine quits (like when they run out of gas....). It will also allow for a much smaller, fuel efficient engine. Engine size would not be determined by power needed for takeoff.

I think it is a very exciting time in aviation due to new navigation and propulsion technology.

Dennis

- June 25, 2009 @ 04:06 pm PDT

Sure it will be a nice plane to fly with.

Yet it will have strong competitors.

First of them : HyBird plane, from Lisa Airplanes.

http://www.lisa-airplanes.com/fr/hy-bird/aventures-multiples/

See more on http://terremerair.ddbd.com

Ariel Dahan

- June 29, 2009 @ 11:06 am PDT

Many battery powered vehicles make amazing claims about short charging times:

Three hours on a domestic UK power supply would give you 9KwH of energy. Assuming the plane cruises at half power without any reserves, no use of take off power and 100% efficiency it will fly for 27 minutes.

Alan Craig

- July 1, 2009 @ 05:07 am PDT

Might need a beefy supply Alan.

But if you had it in your home it'd be domestic.

Just beefier cables and more amps :)

Heat pumps and ovens are 240ish volts and they suck 6kw /-

Perhaps they just mean not 3-phase

Craig Jennings

- July 3, 2009 @ 08:07 pm PDT