First all electric float plane

[Headhunter]

Saw this on the news the other day. With limited range, around 150km per charge, I can see outfitters re-fitting their Beavers and use these on their short haul flights.

It's going to make that dash to the dock on out day a little tougher as you won't hear the Beaver coming until it's on you!

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/electric-seaplane-float-plane-test-flight-harbour-air-1.5390816

HH

[irishfield]

Prop noise is still there, just won't hear it chugging along taxing. Nothing you'll need to worry about Joe, as you won't be riding in one in your lifetime. Everyone thought the test flight was done fairly light, but he was almost at gross weight with just him and the batteries!

[Terry]

An electric beaver 

 

that’s what we all need 

[dave524]

1 hour ago, irishfield said:

Prop noise is still there, just won't hear it chugging along taxing. Nothing you'll need to worry about Joe, as you won't be riding in one in your lifetime. Everyone thought the test flight was done fairly light, but he was almost at gross weight with just him and the batteries!

I suspected the payload would be very low with the weight of the batteries and what do you do when it is on a remote lake without enough charge to get back to base, plug it into a currant bush ?

[Whopper]

1 hour ago, Terry said:

An electric beaver

Quite shocking Terry 😁

Hmmm. I've never wired a beaver before

[Fisherman]

3 minutes ago, Whopper said:

Quite shocking Terry 😁

Hmmm. I've never wired a beaver before

Well they're like those phones that have wireless charging, on the beaver you just install the vibrator pad.

 

[Fisherman]

2 hours ago, irishfield said:

Prop noise is still there, just won't hear it chugging along taxing. Nothing you'll need to worry about Joe, as you won't be riding in one in your lifetime. Everyone thought the test flight was done fairly light, but he was almost at gross weight with just him and the batteries!

Sure hope it has a loooong glide capability.

[Headhunter]

2 hours ago, irishfield said:

Prop noise is still there, just won't hear it chugging along taxing. Nothing you'll need to worry about Joe, as you won't be riding in one in your lifetime. Everyone thought the test flight was done fairly light, but he was almost at gross weight with just him and the batteries!

I saw that as well Wayne. Your probably correct about them not being readily available for some time, but if we look at the advancements in vehicle technology, things are moving pretty fast. It's start!

BTW - I think I prefer a passive beaver vs electric! I aint gettin any younger!

HH

[Whopper]

30 minutes ago, Headhunter said:

I saw that as well Wayne. Your probably correct about them not being readily available for some time, but if we look at the advancements in vehicle technology, things are moving pretty fast. It's start!

BTW - I think I prefer a passive beaver vs electric! I aint gettin any younger!

HH

Joe the electric might help with stimulus  

[BillM]

'Sorry boys we can't bring that extra few cases of beer or else I won't get home'

 

 

[craigdritchie]

7 hours ago, Headhunter said:

With limited range, around 150km per charge, I can see outfitters re-fitting their Beavers and use these on their short haul flights.

Don't bet on it. That 150 km range means perhaps a half hour of flying time in the E-Beaver before you run out of juice. Then it sits on a charger for how long? Float planes don't earn their keep when they're tied up to the dock.

By comparison, a standard gas Beaver has a range of around 700 km and can be refuelled in a couple of minutes.

Headhunter is right, it's a start, but it's going to be a long time before this becomes truly practical or economically viable.

Edited December 20, 2019 by craigdritchie

[LeXXington]

10 hours ago, irishfield said:

Prop noise is still there, just won't hear it chugging along taxing.

That sounds scary if i meet one in the fog again 😲