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The largest electric aircraft just flew [video]

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Re: The largest electric aircraft just flew [video]

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From the video: Range: 125 miles all electric 500 miles with hybrid system (electric + conventional turbo prop)

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> 500 miles with hybrid system

> the grueling two hour drives

What country are you in, and perhaps more importantly, what roads are you driving on?

Re: The largest electric aircraft just flew [video]

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From the video: Range: 125 miles all electric 500 miles with hybrid system (electric + conventional turbo prop)

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I'm pretty excited for the hybrid airplane. Use battery charge to get up to altitude. Hybrid power during cruise and top off the battery with the leftover power. Far less power requirements, far less fuel use, better climb performance, and can use the most efficient engine rather than hugely inefficient but power dense turbines. And as a bonus, put the prop power anywhere you want. Designs that distribute props across the leading endge, or right on the leading edge of the rudder, are exciting.

What an age to witness.

Re: The largest electric aircraft just flew [video]

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Earlier quoted context omitted.

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> 500 miles with hybrid system > the grueling two hour drives What country are you in, and perhaps more importantly, what roads are you driving on?

To repeat: the market is filled with fuel-driven turboprops. This only wins if it's better, and it's only better if it's cheaper. Is it cheaper? If it's cheaper they should say, and not spend time talking about "all electric" range in a regime that doesn't want aircraft at all.

And sure, there are places in the world that don't have limited access highways. But the 125 mile range is already served very well by piston-driven lightplanes! Again, who's going to buy one of these vs. just continuing to run their 40+ year old Beavers or Caravans or whatever?

Also: if the only market for your high tech electric superplane startup is backcountry work in Alaska, you're probably never going to get funded to begin with.

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