Electric aircraft gets energy boost from detachable motorcycle

Designs for an electric aircraft that gets an energy boost from a detachable motorcycle have been unveiled in Poland.

The futuristic designs from Nottingham University research fellow Richard Glassock envisage a detachable motorcycle that acts as an additional power source for an electric aircraft, extending the length of time it can fly.

Glassock’s RExLite and RExMoto have been unveiled today at the International Conference on Innovation in European Aeronautics Research in Warsaw.

All-electric aircraft offer reductions in running costs plus lower CO2, NOx emissions and noise levels but flight time on batteries is limited. Consequently, the provision of sufficient energy for realistic flight utility remains problematic.

According to Nottingham University, Glassock’s designs use conventionally fuelled, combustion engine driven, electrical generators to provide energy at peak efficiency with minimum emissions, effectively converting an all-electric aircraft to a hybrid electric aircraft.

The designs could appeal to private aircraft owners who would be able to fly their planes for longer, reducing emissions and fuel costs, and then use the detachable motorcycle to continue their journey after landing.