Pipistrel WATTsUP

The Pipistrel WATTsUP is an electric aircraft proof-of-concept trainer design that was built in Slovenia by Pipistrel.[2][3]

WATTsUP
Role Ultralight civil utility aircraft
National origin Slovenia
Manufacturer Pipistrel
First flight 12 August 2014[1]
Number built 1
Developed from Pipistrel Sinus and Pipistrel Virus
Developed into Pipistrel Alpha Electro

The aircraft is based upon the Pipistrel Alpha Trainer, which was itself related to the Pipistrel Sinus and Virus designs. The WATTsUP was first publicly shown at the Salon de Blois airshow, in France on 30 August 2014.[2][3]

The proof of concept resulted in the Pipistrel Alpha Electro production aircraft.[3][4]

Design and development

The WATTsUP is a high-wing, cantilever monoplane of pod-and-boom configuration with a T-tail. The cabin has two seats in side-by-side configuration. The WATTsUP is powered by an 85 kW (114.0 hp) electric motor developed by Siemens AG, that weighs just 14 kg (31 lb). The initial climb rate is over 5.1 m/s (1,000 ft/min).[2][5]

The manufacturer claims the electric motor produces more power than a Rotax 912 and can be fully charged in about one hour. The airplane is expected to be capable of flying for about one hour with a 30-minute reserve and it is most efficient in the traffic pattern where as much as 13 percent of the energy is recuperated during each approach.[2][6]

The initial base price is intended to be less than 100,000 Euros.[2]

Specifications (WATTsUP)

Data from AVweb and Manufacturer[2][7]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.5 m (34 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 9.51 m2 (102.4 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 11.3:1
  • Empty weight: 314 kg (692 lb) with batteries
  • Gross weight: 550 kg (1,213 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Siemens AG electric motor, 50 kW (67 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed pitch wooden propeller, 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 194 km/h (121 mph, 105 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 157 km/h (98 mph, 85 kn)
  • Stall speed: 69 km/h (43 mph, 37 kn) flaps down
  • Never exceed speed: 250 km/h (155 mph, 135 kn)
  • Range: 150 km (93 mi, 81 nmi)
  • Endurance: 1.5 hrs
  • Service ceiling: 4,900 m (16,000 ft)
  • g limits: +4/-2
  • Maximum glide ratio: 15:1
  • Rate of climb: 6.1 m/s (1,200 ft/min)

See also

References
  1. "WATTsUP, the new 2-seat electric trainer took its maiden flight - 12. 8. 2014". Pipistrel. Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  2. Niles, Russ (24 August 2014). "Pipistrel Flies WATTsUP Electric Trainer". AVweb. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  3. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 73. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  4. Grady, Mary (14 April 2015). "Pipistrel Alpha Electro Aero 2015". AVweb. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  5. Horne, Thomas (27 August 2014). "Pipistrel introduces electric trainer". AOPA. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  6. Bergqvist, Pia (26 August 2014). "New Electric Trainer from Pipistrel Takes Flight". FLYING. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  7. "Pipistrel Aircraft WATTsUP - Pipistrel". pipistrel.si. Archived from the original on 10 May 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.

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