Phoenix, Phoenix Glider, Phoenix Electric Motor Glider from phoenixair.cz, Sport Aviation Magazine.

Phoenix Electric Motor Glider from phoenixair.cz

While at AERO we talked with Martin Stepanek from phoenixair.cz about his electric powered Phoenix Motor Glider. We have seen and done stories on the Phoenix Motor Glider distributed by Jim Lee of Phoenix Air USA in Florida, but that glider is powered by the Rotax 912 series of aircraft engines.

Martin was at AERO unveiling his new electric powered two seat Phoenix Motor Glider. Martin had to develop the electric motor he is using on the Electric Phoenix, because he could not find one on the market that was dependable or that had a hollow center in it, which he required to run an adjustable propeller.

Martin needed the adjustable propeller because he has to run a shorter diameter propeller because he is using an lower HP electric motor, and thus had to be able to adjust it during take-of and in flight to obtain maximum propeller efficiency.

Martin is using a commercially available controller to operate the electric motor, and is currently getting his power from two lithium polymer batteries, which weigh in at 110 lbs. He had room to add an addition 110 lbs. battery back behind the seat. But he believes that the current battery technology is the "weak link" for electric aircraft, and that in the near future battery weights will be less and battery life lengthened.

Flight time on the electric Phoenix with Martin's current battery pack is one hour, using full power, and then to recharge the batteries you require three chargers, and two and half hours of charging time. Martin is looking at trying to develop a system for charging using the propellers.

When he is locked into a thermal or under a cloud and gliding and not using the engines he is looking at letting them windmill and using the spinning action to run a re-generation system for charging the batteries.

For more information visit:
www.phoenixair.cz
 

Phoenix Electric Motor Glider from phoenixair.cz

Phoenix Electric Motor Glider from phoenixair.cz

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