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  #11  
Old 03-07-2012, 06:57 PM
aerhed aerhed is offline
 
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I think what we're really waiting for could be a lithium air battery. Nevereverwrong Wiki claims theoretical 12kwh/kg.
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  #12  
Old 03-07-2012, 09:26 PM
johnny stick johnny stick is offline
 
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Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Talking Just thinking

If batteries ever become that cheap or practical, then gas will become really cheap. Think about it, it is much easier to lower the price of gasoline to maintain market share (and profit) then to invest in battery technology. I think gas will always be cheaper than batteries, unless the tax man gets involved. JMHO. I would love to see batteries get cheaper, just to compete with OPEC.
My bet is we will see avgas made from natural gas before any battery technology gets too advance. i would stick with an "autogas" RV.

Reminds me of the movie Las Vegas Vacation, the guy sells his kidney because technology is advancing to fast and wanted to make sure he could still get top dollar.
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  #13  
Old 03-07-2012, 09:51 PM
gasman gasman is offline
 
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Cafe foundation on electric flight........ http://cafefoundation.org/v2/gfc_main.php
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  #14  
Old 03-07-2012, 09:54 PM
RVnoob RVnoob is offline
 
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you will find most of the battery manufacturers are owned by the same oil companies
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  #15  
Old 03-07-2012, 10:07 PM
gasman gasman is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkthomps View Post
ironic username given the post content
Gasman = Propane............. Propane is currently less than $2.50 per gallon. Will a Lycoming run on propane??? Yes it will. Is it practical?....... No!

Over 100 octane and no fuel pump. Propane is 4.2 lbs. per gallon......
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  #16  
Old 03-07-2012, 11:13 PM
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az_gila az_gila is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gasman View Post
Cafe foundation on electric flight........ http://cafefoundation.org/v2/gfc_main.php
Yes... and as I said on my calculations post - much better suited to a powered sailplane, even if used in consant "engine-on" mode rather than a sport RV-3..
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  #17  
Old 03-07-2012, 11:42 PM
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Snowflake Snowflake is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lux Wrangler View Post
First it would have to be practical in a car, before it would become economical in the marketplace and be available for your plane.
Because there are hundreds of practical car engines that run on gas that have made their way into the aviation world, right?

No, this revolution will have to start the same way all alternative engines do... With significant skepticism, derision, and ridicule from many pilots of Lycoming-powered aircraft. It's a sad but true fact that all of these options (automotive gas or electric) will initially be less practical than a Lycoming.
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  #18  
Old 03-08-2012, 12:55 AM
gasman gasman is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by az_gila View Post
Yes... and as I said on my calculations post - much better suited to a powered sailplane, even if used in consant "engine-on" mode rather than a sport RV-3..
Gil, I understand what you are saying. But, I don't have a sailplane. I do have an Rv3 ready for a motor. I am looking for a one hour local flight. The RV3 is the cheapest and best built airframe on the market now. And with wing tip extensions, it will do just fine on low power.

I did not mean to imply that the electric motor will replace the Lycoming and perform the same. The RV3 only uses 38 Lycoming horse power to fly at a true airspeed of 100 stat. mph.

By exchanging the fuel/battery tanks and installing the Lycoming and motor mount and removing the wing tips, the three can be returned to stock form.
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  #19  
Old 03-08-2012, 08:55 AM
Lux Wrangler Lux Wrangler is offline
 
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Default I think electric powered flight will become practical, but

Quote:
Because there are hundreds of practical car engines that run on gas that have made their way into the aviation world, right? - Snowflake
That's right. Airplanes have internal combustion, piston engines that run on gasoline, just like "hundreds of practical car engines".

Quote:
No, this revolution will have to start the same way all alternative engines do... With significant skepticism, derision, and ridicule from many pilots of Lycoming-powered aircraft. It's a sad but true fact that all of these options (automotive gas or electric) will initially be less practical than a Lycoming. - Snowflake
High performance cross country airplanes that need expensive battery replacement after 400 flights is a lot less practical.
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  #20  
Old 03-08-2012, 01:38 PM
gasman gasman is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lux Wrangler View Post
High performance cross country airplanes that need expensive battery replacement after 400 flights is a lot less practical.
But that is not what this thread is about............
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