AIRBUS-ELECTRIC Airbus applauds rival in bid for first electric plane across Channel

Record ID: 136128

  • Title: AIRBUS-ELECTRIC Airbus applauds rival in bid for first electric plane across Channel
  • Date: 10th July 2015
  • Summary: KENT, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 9, 2015) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) PROFESSOR IAN RISK, SAYING: ''In terms of the near future for passenger aircraft, the idea for us generally is to look at some kind of hybrid solution between a carbon-based traditional power unit and an electric power unit.''
  • Embargoed: 25th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA6BA8Z709HGOFV30U8PWK5HGYD
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: A bid by aircraft giant Airbus to fly the first electric plane across the Channel between Britain and France on Friday (July 10) received a challenge when it emerged a stunt pilot had flown across and back in a similar aircraft, just hours before.
    Airbus initially claimed that their E-Fan plane piloted by Didier Esteyne had become the first twin engine electric flight to cross the Channel, after taking off from Lydd airfield in Kent, south east England and successfully landing 74 km. (45 miles) away in Calais, France.
    Hugues Duval, a French stunt pilot, emerged with a rival claim that he had flown from France to Britain and back just a few hours before on Thursday evening (July 9) in a twin-engined, electric powered one seater Cri Cri plane, British media reported.
    Airbus initially queried his claim on the basis that his craft had been launched mid-air from a conventional aircraft, British media said.
    Airbus own flight, the E-Fan is a light two seater aircraft weighing 600 kilogrammes; it can reach a maximum speed of 220 km. per hour.
    Professor Simon Bradley, head of the Airbus Global Innovation Network, told Reuters it was a historic day in the company's history, more than one hundred years after Frenchman Louis Bleriot completed the first flight across the English Channel in 1909.
    ''We're obviously always pushing the boundaries. This is the very first time we have flown an all electric aircraft over the water, across the Channel,'' he said.
    Airbus test pilot Didier Esteyne completed the flight in 37 minutes.
    He said that piloting an electric flight felt different to traditionally powered aircraft.
    ''It's closer than a glider. Of course, there is a little bit of noise, but less than any other aeroplane first and also, there is no vibration at all. It's smooth and it's very quiet. That's very important. It's a pleasure to fly this plane,'' he said.
    Professor Bradley said that people shouldn't have safety concerns over electric powered flights.
    ''These days, people use batteries in all the devices they have at home. They have batteries in their mobile phones; the batteries we are using today are standard lithium batteries. They are not anything strange. I think people will take it when it has been certified and when it has been proven to be safe. This is one step on that journey,'' he said.
    It's hoped that electric powered planes would help to cut carbon emissions significantly from flying.
    Professor Ian Risk, who helped to engineer the E-Fan, said that greener aircraft could be a possibility across commercial flights.
    ''In terms of the near future for passenger aircraft, the idea for us generally is to look at some kind of hybrid solution between a carbon-based traditional power unit and an electric power unit,'' he said.
    After Friday's successful flight, Airbus are already working on the E-Fan 2.0, a two seater electric plane to help to train pilots.
    If successful, they will then begin to develop their first four seater electric powered plane in the future.
    Confusion still remains as to whether the Airbus-backed effort or Duval made the first successful full flight.
    Airbus released a statement to Reuters saying: "We applaud the intrepid aviator Hugues Duval for his flight in his Cri Cri! He plays in his own category. All efforts in electric flying support our goal to advance electric and hybrid flight. But, of course, in the first place we are extremely proud of our test pilot Didier Esteyne who just successfully crossed the Channel in our E-Fan!"
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