The future of the helicopter is electric.
A disadvantage of battery powered aircraft is that they don’t burn off fuel in flight. The aircraft weighs the same at destination as on departure and the performance remains the same throughout.
Not really a problem for a small helicopter remaining at low altitudes, but definitely so for something larger, a utility aircraft or an aeromedical/ SAR one.
Not really a problem for a small helicopter remaining at low altitudes, but definitely so for something larger, a utility aircraft or an aeromedical/ SAR one.
This may be true, but if total powertrain and battery weight is less than standard ICE engine and full fuel weight, then it evens itself out.
The gearbox will be a lot lighter and less complex if the TR is electric.
I too would expect fossil fuel aircraft to hold their place quite well in the utility and heavy load roles. I don't think that's the target though.
A container being used to store lithium batteries belonging to an an electric helicopter company in France caught fire yesterday.
A rough translation of the story with links to the press report and company website....
"More fear than harm, yesterday morning on the site of the Caromb-based company Electric Aircraft concept, route du Barroux. About twenty firefighters were dispatched at 8 a.m. for a fire that started with a double risk.
This not only contained 200 kg of lithium-based electric batteries but was also, while being secure, adjoining a building. It took the detachment of the mobile chemical intervention cell (CMIC) of the department (Bollène and Avignon) to put an end to the fire.
The used batteries had to be covered with two tons of sand quickly brought in by the municipality to smother the fire while the firefighters protected the building by drowning the facade. Fortunately, the fire did not spread and the danger of toxicity was averted in part thanks to the absence of wind that morning. Two hours later, the operation was completed.
According to the Carpentras gendarmerie company, the start of the fire would be linked to the high temperatures."
https://www.laprovence.com/actu/en-d...u-lithium.html
Whisper
A rough translation of the story with links to the press report and company website....
"More fear than harm, yesterday morning on the site of the Caromb-based company Electric Aircraft concept, route du Barroux. About twenty firefighters were dispatched at 8 a.m. for a fire that started with a double risk.
This not only contained 200 kg of lithium-based electric batteries but was also, while being secure, adjoining a building. It took the detachment of the mobile chemical intervention cell (CMIC) of the department (Bollène and Avignon) to put an end to the fire.
The used batteries had to be covered with two tons of sand quickly brought in by the municipality to smother the fire while the firefighters protected the building by drowning the facade. Fortunately, the fire did not spread and the danger of toxicity was averted in part thanks to the absence of wind that morning. Two hours later, the operation was completed.
According to the Carpentras gendarmerie company, the start of the fire would be linked to the high temperatures."
https://www.laprovence.com/actu/en-d...u-lithium.html
Whisper
