Post by dennisp on Apr 28, 2008 17:48:25 GMT 8
EAA Asks FAA To Authorize Use Of Electric Motors In Ultralight And Light-Sport A Announcement Comes At Electric Aircraft Symposium
In an effort to gain attention and
support for electric aircraft innovation and to help advance
efforts to bring affordable electric aircraft to recreational
aviators, EAA announced a significant advocacy measure. As the
final speaker on the CAFE Foundation 2008 Electric Aircraft
Symposium agenda, EAA Lifetime Member Craig Willan wrapped up the
one-day event in San Francisco by announcing that EAA has filed a
request to the FAA for regulatory exemptions that would allow the
use of electric motors in ultralight and light-sport aircraft.
"The announcement drew enthusiastic applause," Willan reported
shortly after the event's conclusion. "After a full day's in-depth
exploration of the cutting-edge work being done, the group was
already energized by the promising developments in the science and
engineering arenas. When I announced at the end of the day EAA's
action in the regulatory arena aimed at allowing the application of
this technology, it was like an additional shot of adrenaline," he
said.
"I also informed the group that this is only a first step. I'm
participating on an EAA task force charged with further
facilitating progress in the use of electric energy to power
aircraft," he said. "The EAA community is committed to this
direction. More announcements are coming."
EAA's petition to the FAA specifically proposes specifications
for battery-pack weight limits on ultralight aircraft and the
development and adoption of electric-motor ASTM standards for
light-sport aircraft. "The request for those specifications,
combined with suggested language changes to remove exclusive
references to reciprocating engines, would make electric motors
legal for these aircraft," said Earl Lawrence, EAA's vice president
of industry and regulatory affairs.
The request for exemption highlights developments already made
in the automotive, radio-controlled aircraft, and light-aircraft
industries. "As electric technology advances, the practicality and,
particularly, the flight range and duration of electric aircraft
will drastically increase, while the weight of battery packs will
decrease," the petition reads.
In making the announcement, Willan pointed to the EAA
community's proven capacity for creativity as a call to action
behind this initiative. After citing numerous examples of
breakthroughs resulting from EAAers' passion for designing,
building, and flying their own aircraft, he quoted Thomas
Jefferson's words in the Declaration of Independence: "Those who
have the ability to take action also have the responsibility to
take action."
Willan added, "We have the responsibility to be part of the
solution. We in the EAA family have the intellect, the drive, and
the passion to do something that can change the world. We have the
ability - now we must take the responsibility."
In an effort to gain attention and
support for electric aircraft innovation and to help advance
efforts to bring affordable electric aircraft to recreational
aviators, EAA announced a significant advocacy measure. As the
final speaker on the CAFE Foundation 2008 Electric Aircraft
Symposium agenda, EAA Lifetime Member Craig Willan wrapped up the
one-day event in San Francisco by announcing that EAA has filed a
request to the FAA for regulatory exemptions that would allow the
use of electric motors in ultralight and light-sport aircraft.
"The announcement drew enthusiastic applause," Willan reported
shortly after the event's conclusion. "After a full day's in-depth
exploration of the cutting-edge work being done, the group was
already energized by the promising developments in the science and
engineering arenas. When I announced at the end of the day EAA's
action in the regulatory arena aimed at allowing the application of
this technology, it was like an additional shot of adrenaline," he
said.
"I also informed the group that this is only a first step. I'm
participating on an EAA task force charged with further
facilitating progress in the use of electric energy to power
aircraft," he said. "The EAA community is committed to this
direction. More announcements are coming."
EAA's petition to the FAA specifically proposes specifications
for battery-pack weight limits on ultralight aircraft and the
development and adoption of electric-motor ASTM standards for
light-sport aircraft. "The request for those specifications,
combined with suggested language changes to remove exclusive
references to reciprocating engines, would make electric motors
legal for these aircraft," said Earl Lawrence, EAA's vice president
of industry and regulatory affairs.
The request for exemption highlights developments already made
in the automotive, radio-controlled aircraft, and light-aircraft
industries. "As electric technology advances, the practicality and,
particularly, the flight range and duration of electric aircraft
will drastically increase, while the weight of battery packs will
decrease," the petition reads.
In making the announcement, Willan pointed to the EAA
community's proven capacity for creativity as a call to action
behind this initiative. After citing numerous examples of
breakthroughs resulting from EAAers' passion for designing,
building, and flying their own aircraft, he quoted Thomas
Jefferson's words in the Declaration of Independence: "Those who
have the ability to take action also have the responsibility to
take action."
Willan added, "We have the responsibility to be part of the
solution. We in the EAA family have the intellect, the drive, and
the passion to do something that can change the world. We have the
ability - now we must take the responsibility."
