China Delivers First Electric Airplanes

[Larry Dighera]

<http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/China-Delivers-First-Electric-Airplanes-224318-1.html>
China Delivers First Electric Airplanes

By Mary Grady June 22, 2015

Two RX1E light sport aircraft, the first electric-powered airplanes to be
manufactured in China, were handed off to a customer in a ceremony in Shenyang,
China, last week. "The RX1E indicates a milestone in our general aviation,"
said Yang Feng, president of Shenyang Aerospace University, where the design
was developed. "We will dedicate ourselves to further scientific research and
development in the future," he added. The company had announced late last year
that it would start production of the design. The two airplanes were delivered
to Liaoning Ruixiang General Aviation Co., which will use them for flight
training.

In April, Guiwen Kang, of the Liaoning General Aviation Academy, told AVweb the
company had 28 orders for the airplane, which has a flight duration of about an
hour. Cruising speed is about 86 knots, and it sells for about $163,000. Kang
also said the company planned to ship one of the aircraft to Oshkosh to fly at
EAA AirVenture next month. It's not the first electric-powered airplane in
production -- Pipistrel has been producing the Taurus Electro G2 since 2012,
and the Lange Flugszeugbau Antares 20E has been in production since 2004.
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<http://en.sau.edu.cn/other/show.asp?D_id=2010>


News
Handing over ceremony of RX1E aircrafts and pilot training inauguration
ceremony held in Shenyang
The handing over ceremony of the RX1E aircraft was held in Shenyang, June 18,
2015. SAU President Yang Feng attended the ceremony and made his address. “The
RX1E indicates a milestone in our general aviation and we will dedicate
ourselves to further scientific research and development in the future”.
President Yang handed over two RX1Es, the first type of light electric sport
aircraft to the customer.

The RX1E is jointly developed by SAU, Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute and
other relevant organizations. The aircraft is featured by non-polluting,
environment-friendly, low noise and energy-conservation.

The RX1E measures 14.5 meters wide, 6.6 meters long and 2.5 meters high. With a
maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour, it could be used for training,
tourism, sports, etc.

The pilot training inauguration ceremony made debut and 9 students from SAU
were selected and conferred the title.

Photos:

(President Yang and Ms. Zhang, the representative of Liaoning Ruixiang General
Aviation Co. Ltd unveiling the RX1E)

(President Yang making the address)

(Executive Vice President Chen Baodong hosting the ceremony)

(Mr. Zhao, the representative of CAAC making the address)

(Conferring the title)

(President Yang interviewed by CCTV)

(New pilots on the RX1E)

(RX1E)

(President Yang with trainees)
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<http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Report-China-To-Start-Electric-Airplane-Production-223133-1.html>
Report: China To Start Electric Airplane Production

By Mary Grady | November 20, 2014
image: China Daily

Two copies of the Rui Xiang RX1E two-seat electric-powered airplane flew at the
China Airshow, held last week in Zhuhai, and this week, it was reported that
construction has begun on a manufacturing plant in Shenyang. Certification of
the aircraft is expected later this year, and production is expected to begin
in the first half of 2015, according to China Daily. The plant will be capable
of producing up to 100 airplanes per year. "This will be the first electric
aircraft to be certified by our civil aviation authority," Yang Fengtian, who
led the aircraft's development at the Shenyang Aerospace University, told China
Daily at the airshow.

The plant will be capable of manufacturing up to 100 airplanes per year within
three years, Yang said. The aircraft will fly about 90 minutes on a full
charge, which costs about $1. Cruising speed is about 86 knots. The price is
expected to be about $163,000.
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<http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-09/24/content_16991561.htm>

China's 1st electric aircraft batch produced
Updated: 2013-09-24 21:48
By Liu Ce in Shenyang (chinadaily.com.cn)

China’s first electric aircraft - the RX1E Ruixiang two-seater - has been batch
produced in Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning province, according to Liaoning
General Aviation Academy, the designer of the aircraft and owner of the
intellectual property rights.

The aircraft, which is made of carbon fiber composite material, uses a lithium
battery for its power. Compared with a traditional jet, it offers low costs,
energy saving, safety and practicality.

A one and a half hour battery charging is enough to make a 40-minute flight.
Moreover, each recharging only uses 10 KW, valued at about 5 yuan (80 cents).

The RX1E is suitable for industrial and agricultural use, entertainment and
teaching purposes. It is also suitable for high precision aerial surveying due
to its low level of vibration.
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Photos:

<https://www.techinasia.com/china-rx1e-light-aircraft-flying-sales/>

After nearly 3 years of development, China’s electric plane soars close to
launch

Steven Millward
5:08 pm on Feb 12, 2015

China's first electric plane soars close to launch

After nearly three years of development, China’s first all-electric light
aircraft, the Rui Xiang RX1E (pictured), now has its air worthiness
certification and is finally close to going on sale.

The two-seater electric plane – which was first revealed in prototype form in
November 2012 – has a lithium battery powering its propellor and can fly for 40
minutes on a charge. However, once you factor in range anxiety, I get the
feeling few people would push it beyond 20 minutes. That’s a lot shorter than
most conventionally powered light aircraft, which can typical fly for about
five hours.

China's first electric plane soars close to launch

That serious limitation, along with the Chinese military’s strict control of
airspace, could make this a tough sell. On the plus side, the RX1E is a lot
cheaper to charge up with electricity than a comparable plane would be for an
avgas fill-up.

The little Rui Xiang RX1E has put in 240 hours of testing since the first test
model was ready to roll in June 2013, according to China Aviation News on its
Weibo page. Development first started in June 2012. It was developed at
Shenyang Aerospace University in Northeast China, which created the battery
power source as well as the carbon fiber composite frame.

The RX1E is set to be the first electric plane to be developed and sold in the
country. The price is pegged at RMB 980,000, which is US$157,000.
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<http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/world-s-first-electric-passenger-airplane-is-made-in-china-too/article1-1360780.aspx>

World’s first electric passenger airplane is made in China, too

Agencies, Beijing| Updated: Jun 20, 2015 09:22 IST

The BX1E can fly for 45 minutes to an hour at a stretch.

Chinese authorities have manufactured the world’s first electric passenger
aircraft, news agency Xinhua reported on Friday.

It is priced at about one million yuan ($163,000).

The “BX1E” has a 14.5-metre wingspan and a maximum payload of 230kg. It can fly
at an altitude of 3,000 metres, according to the report.

It can be charged within two hours, and can fly for 45 minutes to an hour at a
maximum speed of 160kmph.

The plane was designed by the Shenyang Aerospace University and Liaoning
general aviation academy in the northeastern Liaoning province.

The plane participated in the 10th China International Aviation and Aerospace
Exhibition in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province last November. The first two planes
were delivered to Liaoning Ruixiang General Aviation Co. Ltd on Thursday.

According to the manufacturer, the aircraft can be used for pilot training,
tourism, meteorology and rescue operations.

The total number of orders has reached 28.

(With inputs from PTI and IANS)
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