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