ElectraFlyer electric ultralight microlight trike

[MPaulHolmes]

What motor is that? Brushless DC? What controller? This is just amazing!

[FlyMeAirplane]

18 hp is 13608 watts. Think of a 12 volt battery supplying 1134 amps. This is WAY more power than even a huge solar cell can produce. You could use the solar cell to charge the battery for a day so you could fly for 5 minutes...

[jvcbigcam]

the battery supplies 72volts and the trike will fly about an hour and a half. it doesn't require very much power to cruise.

john.

[EasternMerchant]

we need something equivalent to a Rotax 914 turbocharged engine!

Then I be interest in purchase for engine!

[jvcbigcam]

Randy is building a 2 place motor glider with a 50hp electric motor, if you check his electraflyer website you can get more information.

[EasternMerchant]

he did all that flying with only 18 hp????

[JUKIO01]

i think the 2 stroke engine is more efficient, but i do love electric motors more.

[NormanSolarSurfer]

Wright comment, Solar films like the unmanned airctraft can add the extra charge for the batterys improving long ranges which increase the demand of recreational sport use, in a tropical country like Venezuela with sun all year long a demostration could star a bright and sunny era for this Sun Electric Fly

[geoffart]

i wonder if its poss to use flexi solar panel material to cover the rather large wingspan and give the battery longer range? its always sunny above the clouds.

[jvcbigcam]

there are solar powered electric aircraft that fly at the upper edges of the atmosphere.

as far as i know they can stay up there until they wear out. the cost and whatever weight they added would be the only problem.

this trike is within the weight limits set by FAR 103.

john.

[geoffart]

The most efficient would be the rigid heavy type - the ones they used on that massive UAV craft that flies really high - yes. But you can get thin flexi-type ones now that could easily be moulded around a surface to follow contours. Would be interesting to see what power could be delivered to a power pack if entire wing surface were coated. Thats quite an area. Might not be enough to power it alone, but wonder if it could significantly increase range.

[yzfrider389]

dude awesome! do you know how fast it goes?

[jvcbigcam]

you would have to ask Randy on the Electaflyer site to find out for sure, i'm guessing around 40mph.

john.

[jvcbigcam]

the motor makes 18hp with 72volts DC. the battery packs are hand assembled by Randy using 121 individual LiPo cells.

there is more info on the ElectrFlyer website.

it's a single place trike so i haven't ridden in it, but i have had rides in 2-seat trikes and yes, it is fun.

john.

[toranamunter]

awesome aircraft! what is the motor and what is the battery pack? looks like fun!