Development and flight test of a manned electric propulsion lightweight airplane

Abstract

Electrically powered airplanes can cope with global warming by reducing the use of fossil fuels and reduce airplane costs in the long run through the efficient use of energy. For this reason, advanced aviation countries such as the United States and several countries in the European Union are leading the development of innovative technologies to realize a fully electric airplane in the future. Currently, research and development efforts are underway domestically to convert existing two-seater airplanes into electric-powered airplanes. In this study, the KLA-100X, which was developed by converting the existing two-seat lightweight sport airplane KLA-100 into an electric propulsion airplane, was introduced. In this text, the main specifications, design characteristics, and performance of KLA-100X are examined. In addition, the performance of the major components of the propulsion system, in this case the propulsion motor, inverter, and battery developed for application to KLA-100X are assessed, and the control system, additionally altered according to electric propulsion modification, is explained. Finally, the applicability of the developed major components to an electric propulsion airplane is confirmed by conducting ground and flight tests on the KLA-100X and presenting the results. In the future, the expansion of research aimed at improving the performance of current electric propulsion airplanes can be reviewed through the development of a dedicated platform for an electric propulsion airplane.