Aviation enthusiasts interested in greener flying might put an Elektra One plane on their wish lists. PC-Aero‘s electric aircraft can fly for up to three hours on one charge with a 100mph cruising speed. The charging happens inside a solar-powered hangar included in the plane’s anticipated purchase price of $145,000.
The plane successfully completed its inaugural flight last spring, and will go on sale mid next year, pending certification as a new ultralight class aircraft in Germany. It recently won the Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize for aviation innovation.
Designed to maximize efficiency, the craft is made of a light fiber composite. With the battery, the plane weights about 440 pounds, and the whole thing is powered by a 13.4 kilowatt (17.96 horsepower) engine.
Don’t expect to invite friends on board, however: The aircraft only seats one person and the maximum cargo weight – pilot included – is 220 pounds.
Elektra One cuts down not only on air pollution, but noise pollution as well: Its engineers say the the plane produces one fifth the noise emitted by regular aircraft, and one half the noise produced by regular ultralight planes.
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Watch the aircraft in action here:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1Xm_ii6pSE?rel=0&w=640&h=390]
