Small electric planes complete first flights over the Channel

Two pilots have succeeded in making a trip across the Channel in a small, fully electrically powered aircraft. The efforts are intended to stimulate the development of such aircraft, but meanwhile the pilots are arguing about who got there first.

Hugues Duval was the first to succeed in his attempt to fly an electrically powered aircraft from Calais to Dover, and back again. His small plane of about 100 kilograms was initially helped into the air by another plane, but was then able to fly autonomously. A few hours after Duval’s attempt, Airbus also managed to make such a trip. For this, the aircraft manufacturer used a self-developed two-seater called E-fan.

Duval told the AP news agency that his flight over the Channel reached a speed of about 150 kilometers per hour. He states that it took years of development before this feat was possible: Duval is not backed by an aircraft manufacturer. During test phases, Duval flew only over land with his electric plane. Incidentally, Airbus has also had a long test phase with its E-fan.

The attempts to fly across the Channel for the first time are to promote the development of electrically powered aircraft. Airbus plans to launch its two-seater in 2017. The aircraft was mainly intended to train pilots. After that, models that can carry more passengers should appear. The current version has a wingspan of almost 10 meters and can fly for about two hours on its lithium-ion battery. It is not known what exactly Duval is planning with his plane.

Incidentally, Airbus states that Duval’s attempt to fly over the Channel in an electrically powered aircraft should not be recognized because the pilot did not take off independently. The group therefore claims that its E-fan, despite having been defeated by only a few hours, was the first to fly over the Channel independently.

Duval’s plane and the E-fan are not the first electrically powered aircraft. In recent times, the Solar Impulse 2 has frequently made the news, including by achieving the longest solo flight ever, both in terms of time and distance. This aircraft also has electrically powered engines, but gets its energy from solar energy instead of pre-installed batteries. Other companies are also working on electrically powered aircraft.