PC-Aero‘s single-seat Elektra One electric Ultralight is one of the most efficient transportation devices ever conceived.
It’s lightweight composite construction and highly efficient aerodynamics enable it to be powered by a modest 13.5 kW electric engine. The whisper-quiet Elektra One can fly for three hours, cruise at 160 km/h and has a range of 500 kilometers.
Whatsmore, its grand vision for taking recreational flying off-the-grid has won it the Lindbergh Prize for Electric Aircraft Vision Award. The award’s premise is that having a holistic plan for energy management is critical for the widespread adoption of electric propulsion and it’s not hard to see why the Elektra One got the gong.
The Elektra One’s hangar roof has 20 square meters of Solarworld photovoltaic cells incorporated, providing zero emissions power for both the aircraft and hangar. The complete system (plane plus “SunAirport” hangar) is expected to hit the market for less than EUR100,000 (US$145,000) in early 2012 once certification is completed.
Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize (LEAP) founder Erik Lindbergh announced the award at the SolarWorld-sponsored World Electric Aircraft Symposium at EAA’s AirVenture last week. LEAP’s programs are designed to recognize, inspire and incentivize the innovation that will drive aviation’s culture, economy and future.
LEAP’s major backer is none other than Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, renewing a heritage of collaboration between the Lindbergh and Sikorsky families with a view to influencing the future of flight.
Related articles
- Electric Flight Prize competition at Oshkosh postponed until EAA AirVenture 2012. (planenews.com)
- The Innovators with Erik Lindbergh (crufc.ca)
- Official: FIA mandates electric-only propulsion for F1 grand prix pit lanes (autoblog.com)
