{"id":10388,"date":"2015-09-17T14:22:03","date_gmt":"2015-09-17T21:22:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/?p=10388"},"modified":"2015-09-17T14:22:03","modified_gmt":"2015-09-17T21:22:03","slug":"the-third-electric-airplane-to-fly-in-oregon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/the-third-electric-airplane-to-fly-in-oregon\/","title":{"rendered":"The Third Electric Airplane to Fly in Oregon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Martin Koxxy, a mechanical designer for a micro-electronics firm in Beaverton, Oregon, has crafted his e-Gull, a design by Mark Beierle<\/a>, over the last two years.\u00a0 The airplane reflects Martin\u2019s care and skills, with simplicity and attention to detail that makes it an airworthy jewel.\u00a0 \u00a0The paint lines on the fuselage roll neatly into the door flanges, both on the fuselage and on the door, for instance.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The cynosure of all eyes at EAA Chapter 105’s Fly-in Breakfast last month, Quark brought a great many positive responses<\/p><\/div>\n

Showing his expertise with electronics, Martin’s\u00a0all-glass cockpit includes\u00a0a moving map via a Samsung tablet, a miniature EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument System) by GRT Avionics<\/a>, and a Cycle-Analyst<\/a>, a device normally used by bicyclists with electric motor assist.\u00a0 It monitors battery, motor and controller status among other things.\u00a0 The latest version is priced at $159.95, making it an economical way to keep track of your powerplant.\u00a0 Mark showed a battered smartphone (must have been a Timex\u00ae, since it obviously took a licking and kept on \u2026ticking) that displayed the motor, battery, and controller temperatures remotely, as well as the charge remaining in the battery, all taken from the on-board sensors.<\/p>\n

\"All-glass<\/a>

All-glass panel has Samsung tablet with moving map, GRT mini-EFIS, and Cycle-Analyst, a budget package for all the information imparted. \u00a0Large panels are easily read in bright sunlight. \u00a0Radio is on left<\/p><\/div>\n

As nice as the workmanship is, It competes with the latest version of the Zero motorcycle motor and a simplified propeller speed reduction unit designed by Beierle.\u00a0 The PSRU is nine pounds lighter than the Rotax C gearbox it replaces.<\/p>\n

Because Martin will be flying his machine out of Bob and Betty\u00a0Stark\u2019s Twin Oaks Airpark near Hillsboro, Oregon, regulations at the field required an unusual set of circumstances to allow future flights.\u00a0 First, Martin needed to be checked out on the airplane so that Mark could certify him as competent to fly.\u00a0 Because the airplane is single place, Martin could not fly solo at Twin Oaks until after being checked out.<\/p>\n

\"Mark<\/a>

Mark Beierle on final into Twin Oaks Airpark.\u00a0 Large flaps allow\u00a0steep approaches, short landings<\/p><\/div>\n

Mark Beierle flew the Quark to McMinnville, a much larger field about 18 air miles away.\u00a0 Martin met him there, did crow-hops and touch-and-goes until Mark was satisfied with his performance, signed him off and the next morning, flew the airplane back to Twin Oaks.\u00a0 Martin drove there and met Mark a few minutes after the landing.\u00a0 After a brief debriefing, Martin drove Mark back to his car so he could return to California and another project.<\/p>\n

\"Customization<\/a>

Customization shows in beautifully finished and color coordinated stowage locker Martin Koxxy built for keeping tie-downs, loose gear under control<\/p><\/div>\n

Mark reported he had flown from McMinnville at \u201clegal ultralight speed,\u201d 55 knots or 63 mph.\u00a0\u00a0 When he approached from the south, observers on the ground could not hear the airplane until it had entered the field\u2019s boundaries.\u00a0 Even flying directly overhead, the most discernible sound was that of its propeller.\u00a0 The short takeoff, rapid climb, and steep approach made possible with the airplane\u2019s large flaps would make this a commuter aircraft that could fly out of a NASA\/CAFE pocket airpark and not raise neighbors\u2019 hackles.<\/p>\n

\"More<\/a>

More than just a clock, smartphone displays Quark’s battery status, temperatures<\/p><\/div>\n

While Dick Van Grunsven\u2019s Lange Antares was the first electric aircraft in Oregon \u2013 over five years later we have seen two more battery-powered craft emerge in one week.\u00a0 There will doubtless be another hiatus, but the interest engendered by these new arrivals may start breaking the barriers to acceptance.<\/p>\n