NASA unveils early version of electric plane

[Still Waters]

NASA has unveiled an all-electric plane which it has been developing since 2015.

The experimental aircraft, or X-plane, has been designated X-57, and will be known as "Maxwell" for short.

It could be ready for its first test flight from Edwards Air Force Base in the desert of southern California next year.

The X-57 has been adapted from an Italian-made Tecnam P2006T twin-engine propeller plane but with the traditional combustion engines replaced with electric cruise motors.

https://news.sky.com/story/nasa-unveils-early-version-of-all-electric-plane-11858092

[Eldorado]

"NASA has unveiled an all-electric plane which it has been developing since 2015.

"The experimental aircraft, or X-plane, has been designated X-57, and will be known as "Maxwell" for short.

"It could be ready for its first test flight from Edwards Air Force Base in the desert of southern California next year."

Full monty at Sky News UK: https://news.sky.com/story/nasa-unveils-early-version-of-all-electric-plane-11858092

The X-57 at NASA: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/X57/index.html

[+joc]

I hope they can glide when their batteries fail.

[khol]

A local airline has been moving towards this conversion. Many of its coastal flights are shorter hops which suits the E plane perfectly. Quick recharge upon landing then off again.

 https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/harbour-air-to-add-zero-emission-electric-plane-aims-to-convert-whole-fleet-1.23770626