e-flight-Journal01-2017

e Personality
carries the HY4’s electric motor and has an output of 80 kW
and allows for a maximum speed of approximately 200 kilometers
per hour and a cruising speed of 145 kilometers
per hour. Depending on velocity, altitude and load, a range
of between 750 and 1500 kilometers is possible. The most
striking feature of the HY4 is the two fuselages, which are
firmly connected to each other by the wing. This twin fuselage
design allows an optimal distribution of the drive components
and a higher total loading capacity. Each one can
seat two occupants. The maximum weight of the HY4 is
1500 kilograms. Maiden Flight took place in Autumn 2016,
in Stuttgart. Pipistrel is planning further so the next step after
the Panthera Hybrid is a planned version where a combustion
engine isn’t but rather a fuel cell is delivering the
energy. In the future, there is also a project for a 19-seater
electric Commuter aircraft where one version will have a fuel
cell that will deliver the energy.
Certifications and Political Connections.
As Pipistrel comes from the small Slovenia, with all its technology,
it is now a flagship company of the country. So, for
example when the German President Joachim Gauk visited
his Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor he was taken to visit
Ivo’s factory in Ajdovscina not far from the Italian Border.
This factory is worth a visit itself. The high-tech bulking
with solar cells produces so much energy that it is not only
enough for the production buts also pays all the building
maintenance costs.
In the last year, they now opened a new RND center in
Slovenia and as Ivo is a true European a production plant
for the Panthera in Italy is under construction.
The EU Commissioner Viloetta Bulc, also from Slovenia,
has been at Pipistrel several times. Ivo also managed that
the Chinese Vice Transport Minister Feng Zhenglin, was
hosted by the Slovenian government and in the end visited
Pipistrel and signed a bilateral agreement for validation
of Ultralight type certifications between Slovenia and
China (in Europe only the Czech Republic has a similar
agreement).
Now who would wonder why the first aircraft validated were
three planes from Pipistrel, which surely will also help with
the certification of Pipistrel’s electro planes in China.
China Connection and UBER Partner
With all these innovations, it is not surprising that Chinese
investors partnered with Pipistrel. There was a deal made
for more than $350 Million Euros announced in which the
Sino GA Company around Danny Wu signed a contract
for a license production and partnership with Pipistrel. The
interesting point: the first aircraft that will be produced in
China will be the Alpha Electro followed by the Panthera
Hybrid Two electric aircraft and when UBER was looking
for partners for its Elevate Program there was not only giants
like Bell Helicopters and Embrair but as well as the little
Pipistrel from Slovenia was chosen. So overall in the future
we can expect many coups from Mr. Electric.
Chief developer Tine Tomazic explains the Panthera Hybrid
to Vice-Minister and the Chinese Pipistrel partner Danny Wu.
Taja Boscarol, Ivos daughter, is giving an overview
on Pipistrels Green Factory.
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