Flight training costs could be cut by as much as 70% according to Pipistrel following the successful first flight of its WATTsUP all-electric two-seat aircraft.
The Pipistrel WATTsUP will be making its public debut at the Salon de Blois airshow, France on 30-31 August. The Blois Airshow specialises in microlight, kit and light sport aircraft.
Ivo Boscarol, CEO of Pipistrel says, “With the ever growing cost of fuel it is time to rethink pilot training. Our solution is the first practical all-electric trainer!
“Technologies developed specially for this aircraft cut the cost of ab-initio pilot training by as much as 70%, making flying more affordable than ever before. Being able to conduct training on smaller airfields closer to towns with zero C02 emissions and minimum noise is also a game changer!” he continues.
“WATTsUP meets microlight and ASTM LSA criteria, as well as standards for electric propulsion and is already certified in France. More countries will follow soon and we are applying for an exemption with the FAA to allow training operations as an S-LSA. WATTsUP is our 5th electric aircraft project and the second to result in a commercial product.”
Pipistrel says the WATTsUP was developed in partnership with Siemens AG, who provided the electric main propulsion components, and represents the next generation of Pipistrel’s electric aircraft.
Every single element of aircraft has been refined to be lighter, more efficient and more reliable. The 85kW electric motor only weighs 14kg and is more powerful than the popular pettrol Rotax 912 series, typically used on microlights and LSAs.
The 17kWh battery pack is dual-redundant and designed to be either quickly replaceable within minutes or charged in less than one hour. The airframe uses features from other Pipistrel aircraft.
Performance of the WATTsUP 2-seat electric trainer is tailored to the needs of flight schools. Short take-off distance, powerful 1000+ feet per minute climb, and endurance of one hour plus a 30 minute reserve. The WATTsUP is optimised for traffic-pattern operations, where 13% of energy is recuperated on every approach, increasing endurance and at the same time enabling short-field landings.
Pipistrel expects to bring the WATTsUP to the market in 2015 with a target price below 100,000 euro.
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