Van's RV-15 (Next thing coming?)

[Taltruda]

Originally Posted by joe gremlin

It looks like he's got wood props on that thing. I shudder to think what that will be like when you lose one on take off and can't feather it.

I saw it without the cowls on.. it has a prop brake to allow you to stop a prop on the failed engine. Not as good as feathering, but he at least tried to build in something to decrease drag. I don?t know if he tested the brake though..

[skiandtom]

A true six seater. Maybe a fixed gear twin. Or a O-540 two seater. Like an -8 with complete dual controls and panel.

[NinerBikes]

Originally Posted by vlittle

I'd like to weigh in. I already made my choice (S-21), but the tech has evolved sufficiently so that something like an electric RV-12 would appeal to a whole new generation of buyers. This will increase the market size by appealling to a younger demographic.

By way of evidence, a local float-plane airline (Harbour Air) is converting several DH2 Beavers to electric propulsion for their island-hopping flights, starting next year. This is one of the largest float operators in the world, so this is a serious statement (and one I predicted a few years ago).

I don't do a lot of long x-country flights anymore, but I do many short flights to see family or buy $100 burgers.

The capital cost of an electric RV-12 may not be less, but operating and maintenance costs would be much lower. A lot less stuff in the hangar would be required as well. Oh, there may also be an environmental benefit.

Someone please dust off this post in 5 years and see how close to the mark I was.

An electric RV-12 won't have carb float problems, coolant lines every 5 years, carb synch problems, gearbox wear problems, lead in sump tank problems.

It would also, if battery packs can be changed out, be a great trainer plane if they can get 1.5 to 2 hrs of run time out of a charge. Electricity is much cheaper than Mogas or 100LL.

I own both an electric VW e-Golf and a Passat TDI SEL. 3 cents a mile vs 11 cents a mile, for diesel fuel alone. The operating economics of electric will lower your variable cost per hour of flying to something ridiculously inexpensive. Just need to lower the cost of the battery packs.

Maybe we end up with more sport pilot license card carrying members? Just a thought.

[joe gremlin]

The iS solves carb float and sync issues. I believe teflon has solved the hose replacement issue as well.

The prospect of an electric airplane certainly is fascinating. And though I'm sure we're closer than we've ever been, I think is still a lot of work to do before we have batteries with the weight to power ratio necessary to make it practical in the real world.

[vlittle]

Originally Posted by joe gremlin

The iS solves carb float and sync issues. I believe teflon has solved the hose replacement issue as well.

The prospect of an electric airplane certainly is fascinating. And though I'm sure we're closer than we've ever been, I think is still a lot of work to do before we have batteries with the weight to power ratio necessary to make it practical in the real world.

You probably meant weight to energy ratio, but for short haul flights this is manageable.

Google "blackfly song nfb". Be amused, very amused.

And the black flies, the little black flies
Always the black fly, no matter where you go
I'll die with the black fly a-picking my bones
In north on-tar-i-o-i-o, in north on-tar-i-o

https://i0.wp.com/evtol.news/wp-cont...enerations.jpg

[tgmillso]

There are so many new batteries on the horizon with energy densities suitable to make the RV?s a 4hr+ machine, but someone just needs to get them across the line. I saw an article on CO2 lithium cells this morning that looks promising.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3SSNw2WvAdQ

Tom
RV-7 With an IO-360 that wants to be electric.

[mike newall]

Well whatever it is going to be, they have announced it via their newsletter last week.......

[akb3]

Vans has guaranteed that I will not buy a kit until I know what this new plane is. I?m ready to go, but I don?t want to have buyers remorse and buy let?s say a 10, and then Van?s RV-15 be some kind of new, whiz bang updated version of a four place that no one can live without.

[Ron B.]

Originally Posted by akb3

Vans has guaranteed that I will not buy a kit until I know what this new plane is. I?m ready to go, but I don?t want to have buyers remorse and buy let?s say a 10, and then Van?s RV-15 be some kind of new, whiz bang updated version of a four place that no one can live without.

Just be prepared for long waits between each kit release while you are building if you choose to go with a new kit release when it happens.

[StuBob]

Originally Posted by akb3

Vans has guaranteed that I will not buy a kit until I know what this new plane is. I?m ready to go, but I don?t want to have buyers remorse and buy let?s say a 10, and then Van?s RV-15 be some kind of new, whiz bang updated version of a four place that no one can live without.

Yep.




Extra words to make it postable.