Pipestrel, an aircraft manufacturer from Slovenia has just rolled out its latest prototype, the Taurus G4, which would be participating in the NASA/CAFE Green Flight Challenge in September 2011. This uniquely designed aircraft, which is electrically propelled is the latest electric aircraft that can probably be likened to the joining of two Pipistrel G2 aircraft. This, as the Taurus G4 has two separate fuselages that can seat 4 passengers. The two fuselages are joined together with a huge motor and batteries taking up the middle space. The aircraft’s wingspan measures in at 21.4 meters, which makes the G4 quite a ‘big’ aircraft.
This eco-friendly design has merely taken Pipestrel around four months to design and build, particularly for the competition. The electric motor (150 KW) and batteries (weighting 1100 pounds) that are placed at the center weigh almost half the total weight of the aircraft, which incidentally is 2350 pounds when empty. The electric motor of G4 is one of the most powerful motors used thus far in electric-powered aircraft.
The G4 is highly energy-efficient and as per the requirements of the competition, the participating aircrafts must be able to fly a minimum of 200 miles in under two hours with a 200 miles/gallon equivalent fuel efficiency. These are requirements that the Taurus G4 should meet. This aircraft would be most suitable as a conventional aircraft and the design could be used for bigger sized aircraft. Pipestrel is hopeful that the Taurus G4 should make its first commercial test flight by the end of 2012.
Via: Wired
