Isn't it about time Reno introduced an electric class

[Fence Sence]

Re: Isn't it about time Reno introduced an electric class

Interesting choice of airframes. Is this the single seater NXT that was supposed to get a Trace engine, then later a 12 cyl diesel, but was never completed?

Makes me think they chose this airframe so that
1) they have room for more engine in future and
2) a well tested airframe would greatly reduce overall development time.


GP

If that’s not an NXT, I’ll eat my hat.

[Nemesis]

Re: Isn't it about time Reno introduced an electric class

Your hat is safe.....So is your tummy..... NXT.

Jon and Tricia

[CubersWrist]

Re: Isn't it about time Reno introduced an electric class

New article about Outlaw Air Racing.

https://www.directionsmag.com/pressrelease/9464

After Scott 3D scanned the airplane I reached out to Point Fuse to convert all the laser points to a CAD format.
Now we can check the sizing and fit of our motor, batteries, and coolant tanks, etc. This has already been amazingly valuable for the team.

[planecrazy2]

Re: Isn't it about time Reno introduced an electric class

For the record, electric powerplants are not called engines, they are motors.

[Lockheed Bob]

Re: Isn't it about time Reno introduced an electric class

I hope these motors sound better than my outside Heat Pump.

[CubersWrist]

Re: Isn't it about time Reno introduced an electric class

I hope these motors sound better than my outside Heat Pump.

One can hope, but it doesn't matter. People will learn to love or hate the sound for what it is. And if they hate it then hopefully they can "see" past it and admire the technical marvels that are going to be required to make this happen.

We will have bigger blades and lower RPM, so it will be a deeper version of this

[knot4u]

Re: Isn't it about time Reno introduced an electric class

One can hope, but it doesn't matter. People will learn to love or hate the sound for what it is. And if they hate it then hopefully they can "see" past it and admire the technical marvels that are going to be required to make this happen.

We will have bigger blades and lower RPM, so it will be a deeper version of this

Big blades and low RPM, I remember. I suppose once you witnessed it in person at full tilt not much really compares.

[Race5]

Re: Isn't it about time Reno introduced an electric class

Interesting choice of airframes. Is this the single seater NXT that was supposed to get a Trace engine, then later a 12 cyl diesel, but was never completed?

Makes me think they chose this airframe so that
1) they have room for more engine in future and
2) a well tested airframe would greatly reduce overall development time.


GP

Yeah, that is the "Trace" air frame.

[CubersWrist]

Re: Isn't it about time Reno introduced an electric class

The team is doing some destructive testing to get a better understanding of thermal runaway.

Basically the battery doesn’t just catch fire, it exploded

In this test we intentionally overcharged it until something happened. During a flight the battery management system will be geared toward detecting if and when thermal runaway begins, which we are already capable of detecting. As soon as that alert trips, it’s race over and land as quickly as possible.

[Fence Sence]

Re: Isn't it about time Reno introduced an electric class

Damn. That’s ugly.

[Lockheed Bob]

Re: Isn't it about time Reno introduced an electric class

Not much different than a Merlin/Radial blowing at race power?

[CubersWrist]

Re: Isn't it about time Reno introduced an electric class

Not much different than a Merlin/Radial blowing at race power?

I think it's worse. This is more like cutting and igniting a fuel line.
I think this is a better comparison because a single battery or a little bit of fuel igniting is bad, but causing a chain reaction ot ignite the rest of the batteries/fuel gets really bad really fast.

[Colbourne]

Re: Isn't it about time Reno introduced an electric class

You are correct that battery fires are a major problem, and I have decided the better solution is to follow the research currently making great progress in the development of hydrogen-boron fusion technology.

https://newatlas.com/energy/hb11-hydrogen-boron-fusion-clean-energy/?utm_source=New+Atlas+Subscribers&utm_campaign=2d9041b886-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_02_23_11_52&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-2d9041b886-90223594&fbclid=IwAR0h7xEtvL1LVk7vctdBqqO1UNZNDvJzG5TYu-YLdNALGGR6nojhB2UvcV0

This is a possible future energy source that could be carried in the aircraft. The Boron proton reaction does not need turbines and generators to make electricity , so potentially it could be quite light. It also does not put out much dangerous radiation so heavy shielding is not required. Probably still at least 10 years away before it could be used, but it is a very promising technology that will remove the need for dangerous batteries in the aircraft while offering almost unlimited range.

In the short term it would be great for events like the Reno Air Races to develop electric motors and control electronics capable of handling the power relevant for use in the airline business. I think it is time to have an unlimited class for electrics, even if only one lap to push this side of the design, allowing batteries to progress as well as alternatives such as fusion.

[gp70442]

Re: Isn't it about time Reno introduced an electric class

I think it is time to have an unlimited class for electrics, even if only one lap to push this side of the design, allowing batteries to progress as well as alternatives such as fusion.

Sounds like what you are proposing is an all out speed attempt. A one lap race is basically that.

I'm not going to lay awake at night waiting for fusion. Just sayin'

[supercub]

Re: Isn't it about time Reno introduced an electric class

Answer to thread title..............NO !!