© Frédéric Lert / Safran A scale model of the future E-Fan 2.0 two-seater all electric aircraft was displayed at the now concluded ...
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© Frédéric Lert / Safran
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The E-Fan 2.0, currently in pre-project study phase, is now being developed by eleven French partners forming a consortium, including Safran, Zodiac Aerospace, the CEA (Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission), Serma Technologies, Evtronic, the engineering school of Arts & Métiers ParisTech, as well as ISAE (Higher Institute of Aeronautics and Space) and ENAC (National Civil Aviation School).
The E-Fan 2.0, developed by the consortium in partnership with the aircraft manufacturer Daher, will be serial produced at Pau, France in a dedicated facility.
Three Safran group companies, Snecma, Labinal Power Systems and Aircelle, have teamed up to develop the propulsion system for the aircraft, based on an electric integrated propulsion system (eIPS) comprising the electric motor, control electronics, the fan and the nacelle. The E-Fan's two electric motors have a combined power of 60 kW provided by lithium-ion polymer 270 V batteries located in the wings. They actuate ducted propellers, which reduces noise and increases safety.
The E-Fan is designed for flying clubs and flight schools, where it can be used to train professional pilots. It has a flight time of one hour, and its batteries can be recharged in less than 45 minutes, which will enable it to fit in about five flights a day.
A version 4.0 is also being considered: a four-seater that will be equipped with an electric range extender (auxiliary power) enabling it to reach more than three hours of flight time.
Since its first flight on 11 March 2014, the E-Fan has now performed 100 test flights with more than 49 flight hours in total. The longest flight lasted around 50 minutes.
