Development and flight demonstration of an electric light aircraft with a low-cost autopilot system

• Grant number: 17/22879-5
• Support type: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Duration: July 01, 2018 - October 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Aerospace Engineering - Aerospace Propulsion
• Principal researcher: Gregori Pogorzelski
• Grantee: Gregori Pogorzelski
• Company: FK - Brasil Engenharia e Comércio de Aeronaves Ltda
• CNAE: Fabricação de aeronaves
• City: São José dos Campos
• Principal researchers: Marcelo Elias Guedes
• Assoc. researchers: Ekkehard Carlos Fernando Schubert ; Flávio José Silvestre

Abstract

The use of purely electric propulsion in aeronautics has become more and more practicable in the last few years. Its mains advantages when compared to the piston conventional system are less vibration and noise during operation, mechanical and operational simplicity, better energetic efficiency and performance that is independent of flight altitude. This leads to more safety, lower operating costs and a more rational use of energy resources. Today, the main limitation to the performance of electric aircraft is the low energy density of the batteries available on the market, which limits the flight time and range. Between 2012 and 2015, CENIC Aeronáutica has developed, with funding from FINEP, an electric propulsive system for light aircraft. The work comprised the specification, design and an extensive test campaign of the system on the ground. Aiming to make the most of the identified market potential in the ALE (Light Sport Aircraft) certification category, the company intends to use the knowledge base acquired on this project to manufacture a prototype of an electric light sport aircraft and develop an autopilot system to optimize the in-flight performance, maximizing the range and flight time of the aircraft. (AU)