e-Genius
University of Stuttgart (IFB) · Germany · first flew 2011 · light aircraft
The e-Genius is a German two-seat electric research motorglider developed by the University of Stuttgart, notable for winning the NASA/CAFE Green Flight Challenge in 2011 with its rear-mounted pusher electric motor.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × electric, tail-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 16.9 m wingspan, two-seat tandem, glider-proportion fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Electric motorglider with rear-mounted pusher propeller at T-tail
- 16.9 m wingspan, two-seat tandem, glider-proportion fuselage
- Won NASA Green Flight Challenge 2011; hybrid version flown 2021
The pusher propeller mounted at the base of the T-tail on an otherwise conventional glider airframe is the immediate identifying feature; no engine is visible from the front aspect.
Specifications
- The e-Genius has a length of 8.1 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 16.9 m (55 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 270 km/h (168 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 (tandem).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown on 25 May 2011, the e-Genius was designed at Stuttgart's Institute of Aircraft Design (IFB) to explore efficient electric propulsion in an aerodynamically refined airframe. Its Green Flight Challenge victory demonstrated a range of approximately 400 km on battery power, and a hybrid hydrogen-fuel-cell variant flew in 2021.
Variants
A hybrid hydrogen-fuel-cell variant was developed and flown from 2021, extending range beyond the battery-only baseline.
Where you'll see it
The e-Genius is a research aircraft operated by the University of Stuttgart; no production or commercial service.
Related aircraft
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