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X-AIR
H : electric model
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Recently,
Volare, the italian aeronautical paper, made a panorama of the
current studies in alternatives propulsion to gasoline engine.
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A
huge Boeing project is presented. What a surprise to discover
an X-AIR H on the next page ! Italian engineers of Polytechnic
of Turin selected it, for their 'HySky' project. These
researches concern an electric engine, fed by a hydrogen fuel
cell.
The
test pilot, Francesco Profumo, will try to establish a record
at the Turin's
World Air Games in 2009.
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The
power created by the electric motor (60 KW) is not sufficient
to make fly any heavy plane. Engineers have to choose a microlight
aircraft, due to the weight of the fed system. Two carbon cells
of this fuel both weigh 120 kg when they are full. Microlight
was the only solution for the Polytechnic engineers.
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Research
budget being high, the aircraft acquisition price has to be low.
X-AIR H was the solution to their limited credits. In
addition, X-AIR H simple conception and easy building are some
of the well-known assets of the indian tube and fabric.
Within
only 4 days, five people have finished to build the cockpit and
fuselage, under advices of Professor Paolo Maggiore. Hydrogen
fuel cell, contained in a plexiglas box, will soon be adjusted
behind passengers' seats, in place of the 80 L tank.
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Development
and test phase are realised with the help of the Italian Energy
Department.
The
absolute aim of these researches is the future building of a
powerful liner/carrier, able to reduce air and noise pollution,
compare to current aircrafts.
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A
lot of validation tests will certify the accomplishment of the 'HySky'
objectives. HySky have an appointment in 2009, with the ultimate goal
: a world record obtaining for electric aircraft. It will also be the
year of the Polytechnic 150th anniversary celebration.
Reference
: Volare n° 285
The
day of the electric X-AIR H first flight is still secret.
We
will inform you in future newsletters.
pictures
: Volare© & RandKar©
More
than 1200 X-Airs are currently flying over the world, making the happiness
of their owners.
If
yourself are one of these happy pilots, contact
us, to tell your experiment ! We will publish your story in these
lines, in one of the next issues of X-AIR NEWS
Feel
free to send
us pictures of you and your X-Air.
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