First Manned Airplane Using Hybrid Batteries a Precursor to Fuel Cell
Flight. Ground testing has begun on the E-Plane, an electric airplane,
expected to be the first manned plane taken from takeoff to landing by an
electric motor. Backed by FASTec, the Foundation for Advancing Science and
Technology, and with support from NASA, the E-Plane is a compact two-seat
carbon composite plane powered by Toyota Prius batteries and a 100 hp
motor. An improved version, using both lithium-ion batteries and a 10-15 kW
fuel cell should fly in 2004. The third stage will involve flying on a fuel
cell alone, with emergency assist from reserve Li ion batteries. The plane
is being developed around the French-built DynAero Lafayette III body and
will use an electric motor supplied by UQM Corporation.  ?The propeller is
the only source of noise on this airplane,? notes Advanced Technology
Products CEO Jim Dunn. Two pounds of hydrogen will fly the plane in the
fuel cell mode, giving three times the efficiency of gas.  (Aviation
Tomorrow/Worcester Polytechnic Institute, November 11, 2003
http://www.aviationtomorrow.com/nuke/index.php


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