Aviation

World’s first electric race plane unveiled at Dubai Airshow

Published

4 years ago

November 18, 2019

World’s first electric race plane unveiled at Dubai Airshow

Sunday 17^th November, Dubai: The world’s first electric race plane has been unveiled on day one at the Dubai Airshow, showcasing custom modified technology built by one of the racing teams set to take part in the inaugural Air Race E event next year.

Air Race E, a pioneering electric air racing series headed by international air racing promoter Jeff Zaltman, made history when it revealed the plane on display at the airshow, in association with the series’ Official Founding Partner, Airbus.

Speaking at the unveiling, Air Race E CEO and Founder Jeff Zaltman said, “This is a pivotal moment not only for Air Race E, but for the aviation industry as a whole. Our aim by establishing an electric racing series is to develop a unifying platform for the development of cleaner, faster and more technologically advanced electric aircraft. The racing series will provide a testbed for innovation and accelerate the journey towards electric commercial travel. We’ve now shown it is possible and are on track to again create history when planes like the one on display at the Dubai Airshow take to the skies for the race next year.”

The E-Racer Model is the first ever example of an electric race plane, built by Team Condor in their Yorkshire-based workshop in the North of England using a highly-modified Cassutt aircraft with a rich history in formula air racing dating back to 1979.

The custom Cassutt racer named White Lightning was once a regular on the formula one racing circuit in Europe throughout the 80’s and 90’s, with owner and pilot Andrew Chadwick earning a number of podium finishes to add to White Lightning’s racing pedigree. Chadwick has since donated the aircraft to Team Condor to compete in the upcoming Air Race E series.

Team Condor leader Martyn Wiseman and his crew have spent the past months converting White Lightning into a fully-electric racing machine, utilising a Contra Electric twin motor and contra-rotating propeller powertrain.

The customised electric motor will enable the plane to race at speeds of around 300MPH. During the races, the combined max continuous power will be set at 150kW, according to the electric formula. Over 100kg worth of lithium batteries installed under the fuselage of the plane will provide power for five minutes of high intensity racing and around 10 minutes of reserve flying at reduced power.

As Official Founding Partner, Airbus providing teams, including Team Condor, with industry insight and research as they build and modify their racing aircraft.

The E-Racer model on display at the Dubai Airshow, nicknamed White Lightning, is one of two electric race planes nearest to completion, the other is being built at the University of Nottingham’s Aerospace Technology Centre in the UK as part of its £13M Propulsion Futures Beacons of Excellence research programme. Project lead Richard Glassock, a University of Nottingham engineering fellow, has also been instrumental in the development of White Lightning and expects to have his model in the air by early next year.

Air Race E will be a series of head-to-head international air races, showcasing the skills, expertise and ingenuity of the best pilots and engineers from around the world. Unlike similar racing events which operate on a time trial basis, Air Race E events will see eight planes fly simultaneously around a tight 5km circuit at just 10m above the ground and at speeds of up to 450kph – faster than any land-based motorsport.

Air Race E will announce the first eight teams to contest the inaugural race on Tuesday 19^th November. The racing field includes strong representation across Europe and North America, with team leaders coming from diverse backgrounds in aerobatics, manufacturing, air racing, the military and robotics.

A tender for the first host city is underway, with the successful bid to be announced in due course. Air Race E remains open for parties to register their interest in entering or sponsoring a team or hosting a future race.

About White Lightning by Team Condor

Power: 150 kW max continuous

Battery: ~20kWh

Aircraft type: Cassutt Racer (modified)

Engine type: Fully electric

Wing span: 4.6m

Length: 4m

Weight: 375kg

Airlines

Lufthansa is interested in deepening its partnership with Air India to expand its cargo operations

Published

10 hours ago

October 3, 2023

Sana khan

Lufthansa is interested in deepening its partnership with Air India to expand its cargo operations

Lufthansa is willing to expand its cargo collaboration with Air India in order to increase cargo volumes.

“We believe that a strong Air India is good for both India and global aviation.” “We are always looking for ways to strengthen our ties with Air India,” Lufthansa stated According to the report.

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In the midst of a robust revival in its cargo sector, the German airline is eager to work more closely with Air India. The ambitious growth plan for Air India includes the installation of wide-body aircraft, which will expand its cargo capacity by 300%.

“Lufthansa Cargo has seen a strong recovery in India, with cargo volumes recovering to surpass pre-pandemic levels in the first half of 2023,” the company said. Positive forecasts for the remainder of the year include continuous expansion, according to the airline. “India is one of the world’s air freight markets with the quickest rate of growth. As India’s economy continues to expand and its exports rise, there will likely be a rise in the demand for air cargo, it added.

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Airlines

LATAM Airlines takes delivery of its first A321neo, adds 13 more to order book

Published

11 hours ago

October 3, 2023

Sana khan

LATAM Airlines takes delivery of its first A321neo, adds 13 more to order book

LATAM Airlines has taken possession of the first A321neo it had leased from AerCap and placed an order for 13 more of the aircraft to boost regional expansion and expand its route network. This A321neo aircraft is the first in a committed backlog of 76 to be delivered. LATAM will receive 111 A320 Family aircraft in total.

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The recently arrived A321neo for LATAM has Airbus’ Airspace XL bins in the cabin and can accommodate 224 passengers. The larger bins enable 60% more carry-on baggage and 40% more storage space, allowing passengers and cabin crew to board flights more leisurely. 49% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) was used to propel the just-delivered A321neo to its destination.

The largest single-aisle A320 Family model sold by Airbus is the A321neo. The lowest seat-mile cost of any single-aisle aircraft on the market is provided by the A321neo, allowing operators to serve the entire market. Customers from all across the world have ordered more than 5,200 A321neos so far.

Why LATAM retired its entire A350s fleet?(Opens in a new browser tab)

The LATAM Airlines Group and its affiliates are the major airline group in Latin America, operating internationally throughout Europe, Oceania, the United States, and the Caribbean in addition to five local markets in the region: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. LATAM is currently Latin America’s largest Airbus operator, flying 240 Airbus aircraft. LATAM received a brand-new Airbus A320neo in July of this year, marking the first delivery made with 30% SAF.

Airbus has sold over 1,150 aircraft in Latin America and the Caribbean. More than 750 are in operation throughout the region, with more than 520 in the order backlog, representing a market share of 58% of in-service passenger aircraft. Since 1994, Airbus has secured 75% of net orders in the region.

Airlines

Wings of Growth: India’s Need for 130-150 Additional Wide-Body Aircraft

Published

12 hours ago

October 3, 2023

Sana khan

Wings of Growth: India's Need for 130-150 Additional Wide-Body Aircraft

According to Vikram Rai, CEO of GE Aerospace South Asia, India’s civil aviation market, one of the fastest-growing in the world, has the potential to add 130-150 more wide-body aircraft to its fleet. In India, there are now about 700 commercial aircraft in service, although only about 50 of them are wide-body aircraft.

India, the third-largest aviation market in the world with about 1,500 aircraft on order from domestic airlines, is viewed as having “great potential” by GE Aerospace, a key manufacturer of aircraft engines.

Airbus unveils order from Wizz Air for 75 A321neo aircraft(Opens in a new browser tab)

India is a focus market and a priority market for GE Aerospace” and added that in his opinion, domestic airlines would think about adding more wide-body aircraft to their fleet and using them on busy domestic routes.

The government is attempting to create international aviation hubs in India in order for domestic airlines to transport passengers directly to a variety of foreign locations as a result of the growing air passenger traffic.

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Currently, the majority of passengers flying out of India to distant locations do so on connecting flights run by foreign airlines.”We need to reach a stage where we can transport our passengers from end to finish. We are talking about the next stage of growth here, Rai added.

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