Electric seaplane set to take off next year, start-up says
The future of aviation is set to take off next year, with a Sydney start-up attempting to create a fully electric battery-run seaplane.
Dovetail Electric Aviation is aiming to launch its first test flights of a fully electric sea-plane next year, powered completely by green batteries.
So far, the company has been able to power a propeller using the green tech.
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The company have been able to power a propeller using the electric green tech. Nine
Co-founder of the start-up, and former chief executive of Sydney Seaplanes, Aaron Shaw called the idea "revolutionary"
"The race is on really," Shaw said.
"We think this is an opportunity for us to lead that pack and introduce this technology internationally."
They want to take out the fuel-burning turbine engines in Sydney Seaplanes Cessna Caravans and install electric motors instead.
The battery in the aircraft engine works the same as an electric car.
It needs to be charged, meaning their biggest challenge is distance.
"At the moment there's about five times less energy in the battery than you can get per weight in jet fuel."
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They want to take out the fuel-burning turbine engines in Sydney Seaplanes Cessna Caravans and install electric motors instead. Nine
The company wants to run quick tourist flights around Sydney, which would limit issues with the battery life, but also said they want to expand Sydney Sea Planes to short domestic routes using electric engines.
They said they would start with one electric plane and see how they go from there.
"50 years from now there won't be a fuel-powered aircraft line in the world," Shaw said.
Engineering Lead at Dovetail Electric Aviation Jaime Pelayo Andres said electric planes would minimise the aviation industry's environmental impact.
"If the source of energy that powers that system comes from a clean source, effectively there's no emissions," Andres said.
"This is a new technology ... there's always going to be a lot of compliance to show to the regulatory bodies."
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Dovetail Electric Aviation are aiming to launch its first test flights of a fully-electric sea-plane next year. Nine
The Aviation industry is responsible for 2.5 per cent of global carbon emissions.
For passengers, the biggest difference will be the almost silent flight - with no sound from the engine at all.
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