PC-Aero Announces its First Unmanned Electric Aircraft
PC-Aero unveiled four new Electric Aircraft at the Aero 2012 in Friedrichshafen, Germany this week – including the new Elektra One Solar with added solar panels on the wings, and the Elektra Observer LT, the company’s first ever unmanned electric aircraft.
The company also announced a new strategic partnership with Augsberg-based Neowings. This new business partner supports PC-Aero with a large network of investors, strategic partners and supporters. In this process Neowings will get step by step the production, marketing and licence rights, based on an innovative, decentralized marketing concept.
A small series production and the rapid prototyping and certification will be setup in Augsburg and coordinated by Calin Gologan. The large series production will run in different centers on the world based on a license model.
Elektra One Solar
Solar cells on the wing surface provide the 1-seater Aircraft about the half of the energy for flying. The Elektra One Solar is a further development of the Electric Aircraft Elektra One – with completely new wings (a new wing profile and a longer span). The complete structure, including flight controls, is built in carbon composite materials.
What’s new:
- solar cells on the wing surface
- 6 square meter on the wing surface provide more than 1 kW power for flying
- high energy density Li-Ion-batteries provide the rest of the energy
- the Elektra One Solar can fly with 2.5 kW power (in horizontal flight)
- less aerodynamic drag using a new laminar wing profile
- longer span:
- 11 meter wing span instead of 8.6 Meter (Elektra One) guarantees a best glide ratio of 30
- higher aspect ratio
- weight reduction by 100% carbon construction
Elektra Observer LT
The Elektra Observer LT is an Unmanned Electric Aircraft, based on the Elektra Two – scaled 1:5. A scaled model was on display at the AERO 2012. Elektra Observer LT flies also with solar cells on the wing surface. Applications: civil surveillance.
The Elektra Observer LT flies practically zero noise emission (40 dB) and 8 hours.
Data sheet: weight: up to 24 kg payload: up to 10 kg (camera and datalink) standard: autopilot and stablised gimble cam, real time video (VGA) transmission option: 3 times redundant autopilot and flight control.
