EcoPulse Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Aircraft: Tarbes, France – A collaborative project between industry leaders has reached a significant milestone in the quest for a more sustainable future for aviation. The EcoPulse, a distributed hybrid-electric propulsion aircraft demonstrator, has successfully completed its flight test campaign, offering valuable insights for achieving the ambitious goal of decarbonizing air transport by 2050.
Pioneering a New Era in Flight
Developed by a consortium comprising Daher, Safran, and Airbus, the EcoPulse first embarked on its hybrid-electric test flight in November 2023, taking off from Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport. Over the following eight months, the aircraft accumulated an impressive 100 flight hours, conducting 50 test flights with its innovative distributed hybrid propulsion system. Notably, the final test flight concluded in July 2024.
These pioneering flights allowed the EcoPulse team to demonstrate onboard electric power levels unseen before in a distributed electric propulsion system. The project achieved a network voltage of approximately 800 volts DC with a power output of 350 kilowatts.
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Rolls Royce Aerospace’s eFlyer 2 electric aircraft.
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Unveiling the Benefits of Hybridization
The flight test campaign yielded a wealth of information, including a vital evaluation of the maturity of hybridization technologies and their performance when integrated into an aircraft. Additionally, the tests shed light on operational limitations and potential noise reduction strategies.
One promising finding was the ability of the EcoPulse’s ePropellers (electric motors) to reduce interior noise through synchro-phasing. This innovative technique leverages the aircraft’s flight control computer to adjust the distribution of electric power among the ePropellers, ultimately replacing traditional control surfaces.
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Challenges on the Horizon
Despite the project’s success, EcoPulse also highlighted some key challenges that need to be addressed for widespread adoption of electric and hybrid-electric aviation. These challenges include:
Advancement in electric and hybrid-electric architectures
Development of critical components like high-performance batteries with longer operational ranges and robust high-voltage management systems capable of handling over 400 volts.
Pilot assistance systems with specialized interfaces to navigate the complexities of these new technologies.
Establishing clear demonstration logic for airworthiness certification for hybrid-electric aircraft.
Weight and noise optimization to balance performance with passenger comfort.
Developing the skillsets needed to manage the increased complexity of electric and hybrid-electric systems.
Building the Regulatory Framework
The EcoPulse flight test campaign served another crucial purpose: laying the groundwork for the development of compliance documents that meet future regulatory requirements for hybrid-electric propulsion flights. This paves the way for establishing clear guidelines for safely certifying innovative aircraft configurations.
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X-66A technology demonstrator.
A Testament to Collaboration
The EcoPulse project stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in driving innovation. By pooling their expertise and resources, Daher, Safran, and Airbus demonstrated extraordinary synergies between general and commercial aviation.
Eric Dalbiès, Senior Vice President – Strategy & Chief Technology Officer at Safran, emphasized the project’s role in validating decarbonization technologies and paving the way for further research while Pascal Laguerre, Chief Technology Officer of Daher, underscored the crucial step EcoPulse represents in developing low-carbon aircraft and its contribution to overcoming critical technological hurdles.
Jean-Baptiste Manchette, Head of Propulsion of Tomorrow at Airbus, pointed out how the project advanced hybrid-electric technologies and facilitated their integration into future aircraft, helicopters, and air mobility solutions.
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A Look Ahead: Building a Sustainable Future for Aviation
With the successful conclusion of EcoPulse, Daher, Safran, and Airbus remain steadfastly committed to achieving sustainable aviation. This pioneering project serves as a stepping stone for future advancements, both in technology and regulations. It paves the way for tackling the environmental challenges facing air transport, ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable future for air travel.
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