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Hanson and several other likely conservative ‘NO MASKS AND NO MORE TAXES” naysayers have declared this pioneering effort pointless, suspicious and/or deplorable because
“Note that once again, this is a UNIVERSITY (public money) that is plunking down the $200 G purchase price.”
Nah–the foibles of university “thinking” is just the side show. My comments–like most of those that don’t agree with you, are mainly centered on the impracticality of the plane–such short range as to be impractical for flight training, ESPECIALLY in a high-utilization environment. Commercial operators haven’t bought into the concept yet, because they have to make money–and can’t do it on such short segments–UNLESS, as some have pointed out, it has quick-change batteries (it doesn’t). A university, however, whether public or private, doesn’t have to live with reality–whether funded by government funds, “research grants”, private donations, or the tuition forced on the students. Does ANYBODY have an example of a successful electric trainer?
Is a university more credible than a private concern when it comes to suitability for flight training? I don’t think there is a lot of difference, EXCEPT that if it does turn out to be a dud–whoever bought it will be “covering scat like a cat”–while the private owner simply has to admit “I made a mistake.”
I’ve been complimentary about Pipistrel–as mentioned they are a leader in electric propulsion–and as Paul has mentioned before, they are a fast-moving and adaptive company.
It’s easy to espouse a CONCEPT, when it isn’t your own money involved. IF you believe there is a future in these airplanes, I’m sure that Pipistrel would be glad for you to buy a fleet for evaluation by leasing to universities and flight schools. Let’s see if any of these “true believers” steps up to the post.
Finally, I’m glad to see that the place where it will be “evaluated” is in the far south–where they don’t need heat in the airplane–which shortens range even MORE. That hasn’t worked out well for electric cars (with HUGE batteries) in the northern part of the U.S. Perhaps Pipistrel should be looking at locations even FURTHER south.