Guy flies his own scratch built electric plane

[thehaze]

This is insane. Super cool but super dangerous. So, who's starting this next build class?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNSN6qet1kE&feature=em-uploademail

[Wingnutz]

Mike,
Thanks for posting this! Wow! A project well done, the aircraft, the flying and the video! First class! I've watched it several times.
Haven't watched the earlier vids but assume the builder has experience as a pilot...the flying is very smooth and controlled and the aircraft is very steady, although unless my eyes deceive me, aileron inputs in some of the turns are being used to control bank angle against the rudder's influence.
Too bad this guy hadn't been flying the two Icons that were lost recently...I don't think he would have crashed!
BTW, anybody know if there are plans to kit this thing? Come to think of it though, it would need to be bigger to lift me!

[Wingnutz]

More on RC hobby technology going big!

http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/going-direct-surprising-leaders-electric-flight/#.Wh9mvevEirU

[Candu]

More on RC hobby technology going big!

http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/going-direct-surprising-leaders-electric-flight/#.Wh9mvevEirU

"Takeoff and landing would be done using lithium batteries to power the turbine while in higher speed flight, the airflow would drive a powerful generator that would power the motor."

Hmm... Great idea but it seems like a typical perpetual motion machine concept that people have been trying to develop and build since the middle ages... I think the best one can expect is to extend the flying range by charging the battery with the generators. But still, I believe aircraft using conventional engines will eventually be replaced by electric motors as we have already seen on RC planes...