Hybrid-Electric Aicraft Engine Targeting 30% Fuel Efficiency

Post by hobonation » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 4:52 PM UTC

SoftTalker wrote: post #5

avidiax wrote: post #4

I think there are startups making a similar sort of engine for general aviation. It's good to see that there is development of the same idea for commercial aviation. This isn't like a hybrid car. It's a parallel hybrid, where the gas engine is just big enough for efficient cruise at altitude, and the electric motor/generator provides extra power for takeoff and ascent (or go-around power), and then charges slowly dur…

The fuel burn of take-off and climb substantially lightens the aircraft for cruise. Electric batteries have no such effect, you're carrying all that dead weight for the rest of the flight. This reduces the passenger or cargo capacity of the aircraft, which reduces potential revenue. And what if you need two go-arounds?

Post by Tade0 » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC

SoftTalker wrote: post #5

avidiax wrote: post #4

I think there are startups making a similar sort of engine for general aviation. It's good to see that there is development of the same idea for commercial aviation. This isn't like a hybrid car. It's a parallel hybrid, where the gas engine is just big enough for efficient cruise at altitude, and the electric motor/generator provides extra power for takeoff and ascent (or go-around power), and then charges slowly dur…

The fuel burn of take-off and climb substantially lightens the aircraft for cruise. Electric batteries have no such effect, you're carrying all that dead weight for the rest of the flight. This reduces the passenger or cargo capacity of the aircraft, which reduces potential revenue. And what if you need two go-arounds?

Post by idontwantthis » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 5:08 PM UTC

arijun wrote: post #11

kspacewalk2 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>This isn't like a hybrid car. It's a parallel hybrid, where the gas engine is just big enough for efficient cruise at altitude, and the electric motor/generator provides extra power for takeoff and ascent (or go-around power), and then charges slowly during cruise if needed. Isn't that exactly what hybrid cars (e.g. Prius) are? Extremely efficient gas engine for highway cruising, but insufficient for acceleration, w…

The Prius is in series, or something like it.

Post by dmitrygr » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 5:16 PM UTC

arijun wrote: post #15

SoftTalker wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The fuel burn of take-off and climb substantially lightens the aircraft for cruise. Electric batteries have no such effect, you're carrying all that dead weight for the rest of the flight. This reduces the passenger or cargo capacity of the aircraft, which reduces potential revenue. And what if you need two go-arounds?

> you're carrying all that dead weight for the rest of the flight If you're recharging the batteries for extra go-arounds during landing, they are as dead weight as the fuel you would otherwise reserve for that purpose. And if you have 30% more efficient engines, meaning less fuel and smaller engines, it's possible you could come out ahead, weight-wise. > what if you need two go-arounds I assume that a go-around requ…

Post by dgfl » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 5:18 PM UTC

Tade0 wrote: post #13

kspacewalk2 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>This isn't like a hybrid car. It's a parallel hybrid, where the gas engine is just big enough for efficient cruise at altitude, and the electric motor/generator provides extra power for takeoff and ascent (or go-around power), and then charges slowly during cruise if needed. Isn't that exactly what hybrid cars (e.g. Prius) are? Extremely efficient gas engine for highway cruising, but insufficient for acceleration, w…

The Prius uses a planetary gear set to blend power of the engine with that of the two motor-generators. Both the engine and motors are used at all speeds. Particularly during highway acceleration the entire assembly rotates in the same direction.