December 16, 2009: New LiPo Battery Pack, and Motor & Controller Refinements
Three steps forward, two steps back. The E-Flight Team continues to move ever closer to flight while turning setbacks into E-Flight system enhancements. The integrated system testing shown in the September update provided the team with a substantial amount of information and excitement. The full power motor runs turning a Jabiru 3300 propeller at 2800… Read More
November 25, 2009: New Engine Selection and Panel
Engine Selection The Hornets’ Nest R&D Team has selected a new engine for the SubSonex jet aircraft, the PBS TJ-100. The TJ-100 engine was seen by many attendees of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009 as the powerplant for Bob Carlton’s Salto jet-powered glider airshow act. Exhibition of the SubSonex at AirVenture attracted the attention of both… Read More
September 8, 2009: High Power Runs in Integrated Aircraft System
The biggest challenge the E-flight team currently faces with the project is the battery pack/power supply. A number of battery manufacturers have been approached as potential suppliers of the 15kW-h of power desired for the system. The goal of the E-Flight team is to forge a partnership with a battery company or companies that can… Read More
Aero-News.Net: “Best of Show! The Very Best (And Worst) of Oshkosh 2009! (Part One)”
Aero-News.Net “Best of Show! The Very Best (And Worst) of Oshkosh 2009! (Part One)” Sonex Aircraft, LLC has been lauded in today’s edition of Aero-News Network, with two mentions in their “Best of Show” review of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009. “Best Affordable Flyer” honors were bestowed upon the Sonex design, “by a mile,” according to… Read More
August 11, 2009: Sonex Aircraft, LLC Unveils SubSonex Jet Prototype!
What is the SubSonex? Okay, so maybe we’re guilty of a little carbon trading for the e-Flight Initiative with this aircraft, but nobody can deny that every pilot’s fantasy is to own and fly a jet! The SubSonex is designed to capitalize on new generation small turbine engines, possibly using alternative biofuels, to give pilots… Read More
Smithsonian Air & Space Magazine: “The Electric Airplane”
Smithsonian Air & Space Magazine “The Electric Airplane” by Peter Garrison Sonex Aircraft LLC’s own Pete Buck received major recognition for his part in the E-Flight Electric aircraft research & development project in a feature article appearing in the August 1, 2009 edition of Smithsonian Air & Space magazine! The article, “The Electric Airplane” by… Read More
JetWhine Aviation News Blog: “Jet & ESA Fly From Sonex Hornet’s Nest”
JetWhine Aviation News Blog “Jet & ESA Fly From Sonex Hornet’s Nest” by Scott Spangler Scott Spangler of the JetWhine aviation news blog paid the Sonex Aircraft facilities a visit to learn more about our Hornets’ Nest Research and Development projects unveiled at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009. The August 31st blog post covers the E-Flight… Read More
July 22, 2009: Development Timeline; Aircraft System Integration
The Sonex Aircraft, LLC E-Flight Initiative proof-of-concept electric-powered Waiex aircraft will be on display in the Aviation Learning Center during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009, located on the flight line, East of the AirVenture Forums Plaza. There will be an informational update regarding the progress of E-Flight given during the “Sonex and AeroConversions E-Flight Alternative Power… Read More
December 12, 2008: Benchmark RPM Goal Achieved
The E-Flight design team has reached a major milestone in the development of the E-Flight Electric Powerplant System’s Main Controller Unit (MCU) and Integrated Motor and Switching electronics (IMS). The E-Flight design team has been running the system at high voltage and amperage power inputs with a large bank of lead-acid batteries, simulating power levels… Read More
November 28, 2008: System Development and High Power Runs
The E-Flight design team has been steadily making progress on the electric motor and controller systems. The E-Flight Electric Motor is being run at increasingly higher power settings using a ground test bank of lead acid batteries (see video at right). As expected, development of the Main Controller Unit (MCU) and Integrated Motor and Switching… Read More
