The SportStar EPOS+ (under development) represents a future sport aircraft concept - driven by an electric motor, environmentally friendly with low maintenance and operation costs. The original power unit is the pinnacle of the performance series of drives designed for gliders, motorized Rogallo wings or powered paragliding.
Unique Design of the Power Unit
The power unit is a compact and more efficient DC electric motor RE BB 90-5 with increased power to 100 hp, developed by the company Rotex Electric, which directly drives the three-blade composite propeller manufactured by VZLÚ Prague. Engine performance is controlled by an electronic control unit, developed by MGM COMPRO, which ensures optimal use of the energy stored in the battery containers. The aircraft can be equipped with two pairs of containers - each container includes 45 lithium polymer cells connected in series.
Environmentally Friendly
Due to the electric power unit, the airplane does not produce any emissions and no manipulation with substances that could endanger the environment (especially fuel or engine oil) is necessary. Furthermore, noise associated with the operation of the aircraft is significantly reduced, allowing the use of airports near populated areas without local residents being disturbed by excessive noise. Last but not least, comfort of the crew members has also been increased.
Simplified Engine Control
The power unit control is very intuitive - only one control lever moving forwards and backwards. There is no need to adjust mixture richness and monitor cylinder head temperature as in airplanes with combustion engines. The control unit is responsible for optimum engine operation, battery status and the entire power system. All necessary information is shown on the digital dashboard display, developed by the team at the Faculty of Information Technology at the Brno University of Technology.
Low Costs of Operation
Operating costs of electric aircrafts are significantly lower than costs associated with aircrafts equipped with internal combustion engines. The cost of "fuel" itself is 75% lower. Further cost reduction is made possible by the simple and compact construction of the power unit - the number of components of the electric drive is almost 90% lower and maintenance costs are thus significantly reduced.
Integrated Charging Electronics
The installed rechargeable electronic unit enables battery charging in the aircraft itself by using the current from a regular electrical outlet (220 V, 50 - 60 Hz). If the aircraft batteries are charged by using the external charging station from a 400 V electrical network, it is possible to accelerate battery charging by 50%. The charging process is fully automated and optimized to maintain long battery life.
Cooperating Companies
SportStar EPOS+ airplane complies with ELSA rules developed by the Light Aircraft Association of the Czech Republic and ASTM F2840-11.
Project No. TA01030821 "EPOS" is designed with the financial support of TA ČR.
Technical Specification
Engine | |
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Manufacturer | Rotex electric |
Model | RE BB 90-5, electric motor, brushless, DC, liquid cooled |
Nominal power | 100 hp |
Maximum speed | 3,000 rpm |
Weight | 42 lbs (20 kg) |
Propeller | |
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Manufacturer | VZLÚ, a.s. |
Model | V332-3A1 |
Type | 3-blade, composite |
Diameter | 64 in (1.625 m) |
Engine control unit | |
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Manufacturer | MGM COMPRO |
Model | HBC-SERIES V7, 300400/EPOS1 |
Max. continuous current | 300 A |
Max. supply voltage | 400 V |
Performance | ||
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Maximum speed | 140 KIAS | |
Cruise speed | 92 KIAS | |
Stall speed | 39 KIAS | |
Endurance (2 + 2 battery containers) | cca 1 hour |
Battery container | ||
---|---|---|
Type of cells | SLPB100216216H | |
Manufacturer | Kokam Co., Ltd. | |
No. of cells in the container | 45 cells connected in series | |
Max. voltage | 378 V | |
No. of containers | 2 + 2 |
Airplane dimensions | ||
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Wing span | 34.32 ft (10.462 m) | |
Length | 19.6 ft (5.980 m) | |
Height | 8.12 ft (2.476 m) |
Weights | ||
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Maximum take-off weight | 1,323 lbs (600 kg) | |
Empty weights (withouth battery containers) | 628 lbs (285 kg) | |
Max. baggage weight | 33 lbs (15 kg) | |
Weight of one battery container | 17 lbs (53 kg) |