World's smallest 4-engine aircraft? (electric too!)

[AirDOGGe]

Cri-Cri, the all-electric aircraft



Partnered by Aero Composites Saintonge and the Greencri-cri Association, EADS Innovation Works will present Cri-Cri, the first-ever four-engined all-electric aerobatic plane, at the Green Aviation Show in Le Bourget from 18 to 22 June.


This aerobatic plane incorporates numerous innovative technologies such as lightweight composite structures that reduce the weight of the airframe and compensate for the additional weight of the batteries, four brushless electric motors with counter-rotating propellers which deliver propulsion without CO2 emissions and significantly lower noise compared to thermal propulsion, and high energy-density Lithium batteries.


The combined utilisation of these environment-friendly technical innovations enables the Cri-Cri to deliver novel performance values: 30 minutes of autonomous cruise flight at 110 km/h, 15 minutes of autonomous aerobatics at speeds reaching up to 250 km/h, and a climb rate of approximately 5.3 m/sec.

[laminar]

Re: World's smallest 4-engine aircraft? (electric too!)

Way cool, thanks for posting.

[First time Juke]

Re: World's smallest 4-engine aircraft? (electric too!)

Here is another electric Cri Cri; http://www.jp-petit.org/nouv_f/avion...electrique.htm

[AirDOGGe]

Re: World's smallest 4-engine aircraft? (electric too!)

All-Electric Cri-Cri Takes First Flight In France

Fri, 03 Sep '10


The all electric Cri-Cri made its official maiden flight at Le Bourget airport near Paris Thursday.


The plane became airborne at 1112 CET. Test pilot Didier Esteyne said take-off and climb were smooth, no vibrations could be felt and maneuverability was excellent. All systems performed well and the plane returned safely after 7 minutes.

“This aircraft flies very smoothly, much more quietly than a plane with conventional propulsion”, said Esteyne. “But we are still at the beginning and have a lot to learn.”


Flight photo and details at: www.aero-news.net <-- click link