e-Go
| e-Go | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Role | Ultralight aircraft and Light-sport aircraft |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | e-Go aeroplanes |
| Designer | Giotto Castelli[1] |
| First flight | 24 October 2013 |
| Status | Development suspended |
| Unit cost |
€60,000 (complete aircraft, estimate, 2013) |
The e-Go, originally known as the E-Plane, is a British ultralight and light-sport aircraft that was designed by Giotto Castelli and was being developed by e-Go aeroplanes of Cambridge.[2]
The aircraft won the Light Aircraft Association's design competition in 2007. It was first flown on 24 October 2013, with the first public flight-test and demonstration on 30 October 2013.[3] The aircraft was initially to be supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[4][5]
Production plans for the design were suspended and staff laid off in November 2016 as the company was unable to raise capital in the wake of the British Brexit vote.
Design and development
The aircraft was designed to comply with the United Kingdom single-seat deregulated microlight class, as well as to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules. The aircraft cruise speed is planned to be modified for US light-sport aircraft rules.[6] It features a cantilever mid wing, a canard foreplane, a single-seat enclosed cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single Rotron e-Go Wankel engine in pusher configuration.[2][4]
The aircraft is made from a combination of carbon fibre and foam. Its 8 m (26.2 ft) span wing has an area of 11.5 m2 (124 sq ft). The standard engine will be a 22 kW (30 hp) rotary engine, which is expected to give a cruise speed of 100 kn (185 km/h; 115 mph) on 3.5 l (0.8 imp gal; 0.9 US gal) per 100 km (62 mi).[2]
During 2016, the company announced that full production would not proceed without further financial input, "an investment memorandum for a third round of funding was issued and distributed in July this year ... shareholder interest generated was insufficient, coupled with the unsure financial market following Brexit. The Board made the very difficult decision to make all staff positions redundant."[7]
In November 2016, the company's operation was mothballed, and "overseen by Chief Operating Officer, Richard Clabon and the General Manager David Boughey". The company website states that it is still looking for a buyer.[8]
Specifications (e-Go)
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Wingspan: 8 m (26 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 11.5 m2 (124 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 115 kg (254 lb)
- Gross weight: 243 kg (536 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 25 litres (5.5 imp gal; 6.6 US gal)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rotron e-Go rotary aircraft engine , 22 kW (30 hp)
- Propellers: 3-bladed, 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) diameter
Performance
- Maximum speed: 222 km/h; 120 kn (138 mph)
- Stall speed: 65 km/h (40 mph; 35 kn)
- Range: 611 km; 380 mi (330 nmi)
- Rate of climb: 4.6 m/s (910 ft/min)
Avionics
- MGL EFIS
References
- ↑ "Meet The Team". e-Go aeroplanes. 2013-11-02. Retrieved 2014-03-14.
- 1 2 3 4 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 42. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
- ↑ "e-Go aeroplane: Norfolk test flight for Cambridge plane". BBC News. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- 1 2 Tony Bishop. "e-Go aeroplanes". E-go.me. Retrieved 2013-04-14.
- 1 2 "e-Go Aeroplanes". Facebook. 2012-12-13. Retrieved 2013-04-14.
- ↑ "First Flight For British Single-Seater". Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ↑ October 2016 Company Newsletter email
- ↑ e-Go Airplanes (2016). "e-Go Airplanes is Seeking a Buyer". Retrieved 14 November 2016.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to E-go aeroplane. |