Abstract
Climate change currently taking place around the world requires humanity to take decisive action. One way, as envisaged in the European Green Deal, is to reduce the emissions of harmful chemical compounds of the transport sector by 90% by 2050. This reduction also applies to aviation. The most commonly suggested means of achieving this goal is the electrification of aviation. In this paper, the possibilities of using small general aviation aircraft (for up to two people) with electric propulsion used for sport flying, particularly for pilot training and glider towing, have been analysed. For this purpose, simulation models have been developed in MATLAB/Simulink environment for three different tasks: cross-country flight, performing a certain number of touch-and-go procedures during one flight, and towing a glider. Three aircraft representing different classes were selected for analysis: Diamond DA20 Katana, WT-9 Dynamic, and PZL-101 Gawron. Based on data collected from pilots and publicly available flight records, minimum performance requirements for particular tasks were determined. The number of batteries that power the electric propulsion system of the analysed aircraft was selected in such a way that no geometrical changes in the aircraft structure are necessary and the MTOW (Maximum Take Off Weight) is not exceeded. Obtained results indicate the possibility of using small electric aircrafts derived from UL (ultralight) class in flights taking place near airports, performing touch-and-go procedures and towing gliders.
Highlights
IntroductionThe need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and halt the rise in Earth’s temperature—which is being felt very acutely through very high temperatures, rapid changes in weather, droughts, and the melting of glaciers—has arisen
The last stage is related to the safety of other pilots because if the aircraft cannot leave the runway, it results in closure
The aircraft and flight parameters were implemented into the model, and the obtained power demand results were compared with the manufacturer’s data (Figure 5)
Summary
The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and halt the rise in Earth’s temperature—which is being felt very acutely through very high temperatures, rapid changes in weather, droughts, and the melting of glaciers—has arisen. Such extremely high temperatures do not allow smaller planes to fly (in 2018 and 2017 in Phoenix this situation occurred). In its Statistical Review of World Energy, BP predicted that in as little as 50 years they may be depleted [1] For this reason, it is necessary to significantly reduce the demand for fossil fuels
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