{"id":1422,"date":"2010-07-28T08:03:47","date_gmt":"2010-07-28T15:03:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/?p=1422"},"modified":"2010-07-28T17:46:29","modified_gmt":"2010-07-29T00:46:29","slug":"bye-energy-cessna-move-toward-the-electric-172","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/bye-energy-cessna-move-toward-the-electric-172\/","title":{"rendered":"Bye Energy, Cessna Move Toward the Electric 172"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a press release datelined Oshkosh, Wisconsin, July 26, Cessna Aircraft Company <\/a>announced, \u201cThat it is collaborating with Bye Energy, Inc<\/a>., an integrator of clean, alternative energy technologies for business and general aviation aircraft, to design and develop an electric propulsion system for a Cessna 172 proof of concept (POC) aircraft.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0Bye Energy is a Colorado-based aerospace company, and its CEO, George Bye, presented the Green Flight Project<\/a>,\u00a0his vision of the electric 172 at this year\u2019s Electric Aircraft Symposium in Rohnert Park, California on April 24.\u00a0 The fact that Cessna would agree to such collaboration is a significant step, and a verification of the market research Bye and his group have done.\u00a0 Possibly fueled by the fuel question \u2013 where will future pilots top up their avgas-burning aircraft? \u2013 Bye\u2019s solution is one approach that is immediately achievable with current off-the-shelf components, with Bye and Cessna expecting first flights of the newly powered airplane by year\u2019s end.<\/p>\n

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Bruce Gillit, Bye Engineering Manager, George Bye, Bye Energy CEO and Charlie Johnson, Bye Energy COO work on the first conversion steps<\/p><\/div>\n

The aging fleet and high prices for maintaining what are increasingly vintage engines adds to the economic burden of flying, as noted by Bye in his EAS talk.\u00a0 That, and the popularity of the 172, with 43,000 delivered, makes the Cessna an ideal candidate for the transformation.\u00a0 As Charles Johnson, former Cessna President and\u00a0Chief Operating Officer\u00a0for Bye Aerospace notes, this is \u201cthe largest possible application,\u201d for electric conversions, enabling economies of scale to take hold.<\/p>\n

In his talk, Bye noted that the electric 172 would weigh about 1,300 pounds empty, including a 168 horsepower UQM 125 motor<\/a>, batteries, and a Vertical Power <\/a>monitoring system.\u00a0 That weight would be maintained even with a projected hybrid package that would use a GSE OCX-1226 engine <\/a>as part of a series configuration, the Diesel engine being used to recharge the probably smaller battery pack.<\/p>\n

In the pure electric version, Bye noted, a second battery pack would take up the rear seat area.\u00a0 Although some might raise objections, consider \u201cnormal\u201d use of a petrol-powered 172.\u00a0 It\u2019s often used as a two-seater with ample room for luggage.\u00a0 Little will change for such use.<\/p>\n

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UQM motor, forward battery pack in new cowling<\/p><\/div>\n

Performance, in many respects,\u00a0will improve because of the smoother cowling possible with the smaller motor and lower need for cooling drag, a major factor on internal combustion powered craft.\u00a0 Bye estimates a minimum thrust requirement of 30.6 kilowatts, or 41 horsepower for economical cruise.\u00a0 With a variable pitch, full feathering propeller, climb and cruise performance should be enhanced, and with the electric motor\u2019s ability to maintain power at higher altitudes, low cruise speed at high altitudes will be an economical way to travel.<\/p>\n

\u00a0In that respect, Bye projects a $5.00 to $6.00 an hour direct operating cost, given electric rates of 10 cents per kilowatt-hour.\u00a0 That\u2019s an order of magnitude less than the conventionally powered craft.\u00a0\u00a0 Maintenance costs will be similarly cut, making annual inspections far less of a fiscal imposition.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Besides the hybrid package, future developments will include incorporation of Ascent Solar <\/a>thin-film solar cells on the wing to act as a range extender in flight and self-charging system on the ground.<\/p>\n

\u00a0The press release concludes, \u201cCessna\u2019s Chairman, President and CEO Jack J. Pelton said, \u2018As we look at the landscape of alternative fuels for general aviation aircraft, the electric power plant offers significant benefits, but there are significant challenges to get there. We believe Bye Energy has gotten off to a good start in understanding those challenges and how to overcome them.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cGeorge Bye, CEO of Bye Energy Inc., thanked Cessna for its collaboration. \u2018We are honored to work with Cessna in accomplishing the proof of concept endeavor. Cessna\u2019s support of the electric and electric-hybrid program is vital to moving general aviation into the future,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cRepresentatives from Bye Energy will be at the Cessna exhibit during EAA\u2019s AirVenture on Thursday, July 29, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., for one-on-one interviews.\u201d<\/p>\n