Researchers at the University of Arkansas have achieved a significant milestone in their efforts to revolutionize the aeronautics industry by successfully testing a passenger hybrid-electric plane. The aircraft is powered by a battery-powered electric motor drive, replacing one of the traditional gas-powered engines.
The project, led by Alan Mantooth, Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering and Executive Director of the National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission, has been in development for several years, with funding provided by the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy CIRCUITS program.
The successful test flight of the hybrid-electric plane has the potential to significantly impact the aeronautics sector, providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional aircraft that rely on fossil fuels. It has been estimated that the aviation industry accounts for approximately 2% of global carbon emissions, and as such, reducing the reliance on traditional gas-powered engines could have enormously positive effects on the environment.
The aircraft tested was a Cessna 337, a small aircraft commonly used as an air taxi in island regions and rural areas. The hybrid-electric version of the aircraft utilized a 250-kilowatt motor drive designed and created by Mantooth and his team to power a rear electrical engine in a testbed built by Ampaire Inc., an electrified aircraft firm based in Southern California.
While the successful test flight of the passenger hybrid-electric plane is undoubtedly a significant milestone, it is important to note that there is still a long way to go in terms of creating a commercially viable alternative to traditional aircraft. There are numerous technical, regulatory, and infrastructure challenges that must be addressed before hybrid-electric planes become a reality.
Nevertheless, the successful test flight marks a promising step towards a more sustainable future for the aviation industry. With continued research and development, hybrid-electric planes could soon become a common sight in our skies, providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional aircraft and reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.