| The United States Federal Aviation Administration rule | | | | actually a measure intended to keep high-powered |
| that Light Sports Aircraft (LSA) must be powered | | | | turbine engines out of the hands of novice sport |
| only by reciprocating engines, forbids manufacturing | | | | pilots, thus thwarting the sale of electric airplanes |
| and sales of electric motor powered light sport | | | | here in the United States. "We are extremely |
| aircraft here in the states, while developers | | | | reluctant to introduce such a new technology on this |
| worldwide experiment, develop, and prepare to | | | | less experienced pilot population," says the FAA's |
| market LSA in their country. That particular FAA | | | | Steve Flanaan, who helped write the Light Sport |
| posture is not totally discouraging but is some what | | | | Aircraft rules. "We need to obtain more flight data |
| frustrating according to Randall Fishman, an ultra light | | | | and experience with electric motors." |
| pilot who is currently developing an electric two-seat | | | | Fishman electric powered aircraft design is the Electra |
| sport plane. | | | | Flyer-X, a $65,000 kit plane he had designed to LSA |
| A couple of the aviation designers, around the world, | | | | specifications. The Electra Flyer-X is an all-composite |
| who are experimenting with LSA electric-powered | | | | light sport airplane with a top speed of 100 mph and |
| designs include Boeing, Altatus, as well as Fishman | | | | can stay airborne for up to 2 hours. It is propelled by |
| and Sonex. Here in the U.S., Boeing is developing a | | | | a 100 volt, 50 horse power, brushless permanent |
| Fuel Cell Demonstrator which combines a proton | | | | magnet motor power plant, and a large, low-rpm low |
| exchange membrane fuel cell with a lithium-ion | | | | noise propeller. |
| battery pack to power its electric motor. | | | | The power is supplied by four 3-kilowatthour |
| A French designer's concept, the electric glider Alatus, | | | | air-cooled lithium-ion polymer batteries which can be |
| took its maiden voyage in January of 2009. Satisfied | | | | charge from an ordinary home wall outlet. It is his |
| with its performance and how well it flew the first | | | | hope the Electra Flyer-X s design will enable it to |
| time, they plan to begin marketing and selling it in | | | | quickly go into production once the FAA gives its |
| 2010. Unrestricted by the U.S. FAA rules, they are | | | | okay to electric engine aircraft. According to Flanaan, |
| taking advantage of their freedom and getting a | | | | no projected time table has been established when |
| jump on the market. Wisconsin electric powered light | | | | such a ruling will be issued. |
| sport aircraft designer and makers of the Sonex | | | | While the federal government has committed almost |
| E-Flight are watching Altatus's introduction closely in | | | | $2.5 billion to help jump-start electric car research, |
| hope data from this plane's sales and safety record | | | | development, and manufacturing; electric airplanes are |
| will help reshape new rules within the FAA. | | | | being held back. It is only a matter of time before |
| The light sport aircraft (LSA) is a class of airplane | | | | they rescind that rule and the hope is it is more |
| typically flown by less experienced pilots. The current | | | | sooner than later. |
| Federal Aviation Administration rule concerning LSA is | | | | |