Welcome to flightglobal.com. This website uses cookies to improve your experience and for ads personalisation. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of these cookies. You can learn more about the cookies we use here.

By David Kaminski-Morrow 2021-09-07T11:04:00+01:00

US-based propulsion technology specialist Wright Electric has begun testing a 2MW electric powertrain to support development of a zero-emission aircraft.

The company describes the measure as a “key milestone” for its Wright 1 single-aisle aircraft programme, a proposal over which it is co-operating with UK budget carrier EasyJet.

Wright Electric says the new motor is intended to be scalable up to 4MW. The company plans to use 10 sets of 2MW motors on the Wright 1 – giving overall power of 20MW.

It also expects the motor to generate 10kW/kg in specific power, and says this will amount to a two-fold improvement against available systems.

“This allows application of the motor up to the single-aisle class aircraft, to enable electric and hybrid-electric flight with little to no emissions,” claims Wright Electric.

Wright Electric has proposed the Wright 1 design as a future transport

The company demonstrated an inverter earlier this year – also planned to be scalable – to convert DC battery power to AC power needed for the motors.

It will embark on integrating the inverter with the powertrain, and conducting further testing including use of a high-altitude chamber.

Wright Electric is aiming for ground testing this year and next, before moving to flight testing in 2023. The company is opening a US-based specialised high-power and high-voltage motor test site to advance progress.

“We have real momentum in our programme,” insists chief executive Jeff Engler. “Zero-emission commercial aircraft are the future and Wright is focused on, and on track, to deliver on that promise.”

EasyJet says it remains “fully committed” to supporting the development of new propulsion technology, and becoming an “early adopter” once they are available.

The budget carrier has been working with Wright Electric for the last four years.

Although the airline says it believes hydrogen will “play a big part” in the evolution of zero-emission aircraft technology – either through direct combustion or electric fuel cells – there is likely to be an “important role” for high-power electric motors.

Rolls-Royce senses that the aerospace industry is sceptical about hydrogen’s potential as a fuel for long-haul operations. The engine manufacturer’s chief executive, Warren East, expressed reservations during a half-year briefing on 5 August. “This isn’t a Rolls-Royce thing,” he says. “This is an industry thing. For long-distance international ...

Short-haul carriers have little reason to invest in the development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) when new propulsion technologies are on the horizon, in the view of EasyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren.

US firm Wright Electric is aiming to conduct ground tests next year, and flight tests in three years’ time, of a motor intended to provide propulsion for an electric airliner. The company is constructing a 1.5MW electric motor and a 3kV inverter – a system to convert direct to ...

Monte Aircraft Leasing has placed its latest order for low-emission turboprop conversions, signing with hybrid-electric powertrain developer Ampaire for up to 50 nine-passenger Eco Caravans.

Gothenburg-based Heart Aerospace made a net loss of SKr77.8 million ($6.9 million) in the 12 months to 31 December 2021, a sharp fall on the SKr5.4 million net profit recorded the previous year, as the company went through a period of rapid expansion.

German green airline start-up Evia Aero has signed a tentative agreement for 25 Eviation Alice all-electric aircraft.

FlightGlobal is the global aviation community’s primary source of news, data, insight, knowledge and expertise. We provide news, data, analytics and advisory services to connect the aviation community globally and help organisations shape their business strategies, identify new opportunities and make better decisions faster.

Site powered by Webvision Cloud