{"id":11719,"date":"2018-02-13T15:30:02","date_gmt":"2018-02-13T22:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/?p=11719"},"modified":"2018-02-13T15:30:02","modified_gmt":"2018-02-13T22:30:02","slug":"schleichers-sustainable-flight-for-two","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/schleichers-sustainable-flight-for-two\/","title":{"rendered":"Schleicher’s Sustainable Flight for Two"},"content":{"rendered":"

Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau (sailplane maker) has been crafting high-performance soaring craft since its inception in 1927<\/a>.\u00a0 Their latest creation, a two-seat, 20-meter (65.6 feet) span motorsegler<\/em>, the ASG32 El<\/a>, includes a 25 kilowatt synchronous motor driving a Schleicher-designed 1.55 meter (5 feet) retractable propeller.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"

ASG32 in flight with 25 kW sustainer (retriever) motor raised, optional solar panels on motor compartment doors<\/p><\/div>\n

The motor is a \u201chome help\u201d device, a sustainer motor to keep the ASG 32 El aloft once it is launched by a winch or by being pulled by a towplane.\u00a0 The motor does not allow for self-launching.\u00a0 Its low power, coupled with the airplane\u2019s clean design, does enable a 1.3 meter-per-second (255 feet per minute) rate of climb.\u00a0 The aircraft\u2019s battery is sufficient for 20 minutes of all-out power or 100 kilometers (62 miles) of \u201csawtooth\u201d flight, short climbs followed by longer glides, even with a full load of two pilots.<\/p>\n

\"\"

ASG32 El single lever motor control<\/p><\/div>\n

A single control level raises the motor and propeller into operating position, and when pushed further, turns the motor on and controls the speed of the motor.\u00a0 Similar to the Lange Antares single-lever control, the unit simplifies operation, adding to flight safety.\u00a0 A specially designed battery management system (BMS) monitors and controls the 1,200 lithium-ion cells housed as a battery pack in the motor compartment.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Battery pack compresses 1,200 cells, BMS into space within slender fuselage<\/p><\/div>\n

The aircraft and its power system (a first for Schleicher) were designed by a \u201cSchleicher-led consortium including the University of Kassel, the University Baden W\u00fcrttemberg at Mosbach and companies with expertise in battery technology was created for the development process. The propeller and control unit were also developed with expert specialty firm,\u201d according to the company.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Simple instrumentation, much like that on FES-powered sailplanes, helps pilot see RPM, battery temperatures, state of charge<\/p><\/div>\n

Recently approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the first electric sailplane with a \u201cretriever\u201d unit to achieve that honor, the ASG 32El also achieves the goals of its makers.\u00a0 \u201cThe primary goal in the development of the electric sustainer was to ensure a maximum operational safety in the air and on the ground. With its simple operating system and overall battery concept this requirement has been achieved in the ASG 32 El.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n