RX1E.jpg (Photo : www.chinadaily.com)
China's first domestically developed electric plane is set to go into mass production soon, according to China Daily.
The RX1E, a two-seater plane capable of flying for 90 minutes on a full charge, is scheduled to receive its airworthiness certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China before the year closes. Once certified, production could already start in 2015.
Two prototypes of the electric aircraft are currently on display at the 10th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province.
Yang Fengtian who headed the development of the two-seater, light-duty electric aircraft said that it could sell for nearly 1 million yuan ($163,000), a full set of lithium batteries included.
Made of carbon-fiber composite material, the RX1E can fly at a cruise speed of up to 160 kilometers per hour. With a maximum takeoff weight of 480 kilograms, it is capable of flying for 230 kilometers at an altitude of about 3,000 meters. One flight hour will reportedly cost only 20 yuan, inclusive of the 5 yuan for battery charging.
"This will be the first electric aircraft to be certified by our civil aviation authority. The success of the plane means China has become a technology leader in this field," said Yang.
According to Yang, they are planning to reach an annual production of 100 aircraft within three years. In fact, he volunteered, they have already begun with the construction of a manufacturing plant capable of producing 100 RX1Es each year in Shenyang, the capital of the Liaoning Province.
Yang believes that the Chinese market will be needing at least 1,000 RX1Es to meet the demand from general aviation businesses.
Given its low cost of acquisition and low cost of maintenance, it can be effectively and efficiently used to serve a wide range of needs, from police patrols and surveillance to flight training, through to tourism and entertainment flights to mapping and preparing air surveys.
Aside from the domestic market, the RX1E also has promising prospects in the European and United States markets, according to Yang.
He said that many foreign enterprises have already contacted them to express interest in the project. One of them is Roland Bosch, an aircraft exhibition organizer in Germany, who believes it has great potential in the international market.
Said Bosch: "The RX1E's design and engine are very good. I believe it will be a big success in the global market because it is one of the best electric aircraft to my knowledge."
