Gabe and I hit a wall with this project about four years ago when we realized that there wasn't a drive system we were comfortable flying with that we could also afford. As a result the Lazair has been hanging behind the garage waiting for the all important collision of means, motive, and opportunity.
Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when a new coalition formed more or less spontaneously to get this project back in motion. Jackson Edwards deserves most of the credit for reviving the idea. He's a battery engineer and a very motivated fellow. He got us all re-energized and also brought us batteries and another partner to provide motors.
As a result the project is back in high gear.
This weekend saw the start of motor testing. Unfortuanately our first controller arrived bricked, so we're going to have to try for a first spin on Monday. I'll provide some details of the motor, battery, and controller specs as soon as I can. It's all so new to me that I don't even know all the bits we're running yet.
Our plan is to have the plane back in the air by spring. We'll be doing most of our flying out of Monterey Bay Academy, which is also where the plane will be stored in a hanger where I work at Calfee Design. This is an exciting time for flight, and I see a real possibility for light electric aircraft to revitalize the general aviation industry and finally make sport flying a reality for the average person.
I hope this blog can provide some inspiration and also guidance to anyone undertaking a similar electric aviation project. Feel free to reach out to us with questions.
Back to work!
Hey, that battery looks familiar! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI like the dyno; it looks a lot like a couple that I have built over the years.
Looks like a great project! Please keep the updates coming for those of us who must live vicariously from down under.
cheers, Andrew