An electric powered aircraft technology demonstrator aircraft has made its first flight in Germany, program sponsor Airbus reports.
The aircraft, known as ‘eGenius’, was publically unveiled at this year’s international Aero-Expo in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Designed by the University of Stuttgart’s Institute of Aircraft Design, eGenius took to the air on May 26, six weeks after it was formally announced. The aircraft subsequently completed a 20 minute flight from Mindelheim, with test teams checking the aircraft’s handling qualities and electric propulsion system while in flight. With the first flight now complete, Airbus says that the a wider flight test campaign will begin, as the flight envelope of the eGenius is expanded to test the overall performance and reliability of the aircraft’s 60kW limited propulsion system.
Airbus is the main sponsor of the eGenius concept, with the company committed to a number environmentally friendly projects which aim to reduce emissions across the aviation industry. These include the development of fuel cell technology as a viable alternative to fossil fuels, and the development of bio-fuel technology through its support of local bio-fuel value-chains around the globe. Data collected from the eGenius will also be utilised by Airbus’ Future Projects teams to further develop cleaner and greener technology for the industry.
