Airbus E-Fan
Airbus · France · first flew 2014 · light aircraft
The Airbus E-Fan was a two-seat all-electric low-wing monoplane of composite construction, developed as a prototype for pilot training.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × electric, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Two ducted electric fans mounted on either side of the rear fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Two ducted electric fans mounted on either side of the rear fuselage
- T-tail
- Retractable tandem landing gear with outrigger wheels
The tandem landing gear and rear-mounted ducted fans, with a T-tail above them, set it apart from conventional trainers. The main wheel has its own electric motor for taxiing.
Specifications
- The Airbus E-Fan has a length of 6.67 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.5 m (31 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 220 km/h (137 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Airbus developed it with Aero Composites Saintonge. It first flew in 2014 and was shown to the press at the Farnborough Airshow in July 2014. The two motors together produced 60 kW, with lithium-polymer batteries in the inboard wings.
Variants
A two-seat E-Fan 2.0 trainer and a four-seat E-Fan 4.0 tourer with a stretched fuselage and possible hybrid range extender were planned. In 2014 DAHER-SOCATA took on design completion and certification.
Where you'll see it
On 9 July 2015 it crossed the English Channel from Lydd to Calais. Production was cancelled in April 2017.
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