Pipistrel WATTsUP

WATTsUP
Role Ultralight civil utility aircraft
National origin Slovenia
Manufacturer Pipistrel
First flight 12 August 2014[1]
Number built 1
Unit cost
Target base price EUR 100,000
Developed from Pipistrel Sinus and Pipistrel Virus

The Pipistrel WATTsUP is an electric aircraft proof-of-concept trainer design manufactured in Slovenia by Pipistrel.[2]

The aircraft is based upon the Pipistrel Sinus and Virus and was first publicly shown at the Salon de Blois airshow, in France on 30 August 2014.[2]

The proof of concept resulted in the Pipistrel Alpha Electro production aircraft.[3]

Design and development

The WATTsUP is a high-wing, cantilever monoplane of pod-and-boom configuration with a T-tail. The cabin has two seats in side-by-side configuration. The WATTsUP is powered by an 85 kW (114.0 hp) electric motor developed by Siemens AG, that weighs just 14 kg (31 lb). The initial climb rate is over 5.1 m/s (1,000 ft/min).[2][4]

The manufacturer claims the electric motor produces more power than a Rotax 912 and can be fully charged in about one hour. The airplane is expected to be capable of flying for about one hour with a 30-minute reserve and it is most efficient in the traffic pattern where as much as 13 percent of the energy is recuperated during each approach.[2][5]

The initial base price is intended to be less than 100,000 Euros.[2]

Specifications (WATTsUP)

Data from AVweb and Manufacturer[2][6]

General characteristics

Performance

References

  1. "WATTsUP, the new 2-seat electric trainer took its maiden flight - 12. 8. 2014". Pipistrel. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Niles, Russ (24 August 2014). "Pipistrel Flies WATTsUP Electric Trainer". AVweb. Retrieved 29 August 2014.
  3. Grady, Mary (14 April 2015). "Pipistrel Alpha Electro Aero 2015". AVweb. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  4. Horne, Thomas (27 August 2014). "Pipistrel introduces electric trainer". AOPA. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  5. Bergqvist, Pia (26 August 2014). "New Electric Trainer from Pipistrel Takes Flight". FLYING. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  6. "Pipistrel Aircraft WATTsUP - Pipistrel". pipistrel.si. Retrieved 13 March 2015.