In a conversation at Oshkosh Friday, Pipistrel confirmed to AVweb that we should expect their coming hybrid-driven four-seater to cruise at 200 KTAS, while burning less than 10 gallons per hour. And we should expect to see it unveiled before July 2011. Discussion of the aircraft's powerplant suggest something like a Lycoming four-cylinder around 200 hp, but "will presented by Pipistrel with an electric motor system." We've seen images of the official low-wing T-tailed design. Along with a high-aspect-ratio wing that's tapered from the back, it's what we'd comfortably call next-generation Pipistrel. "Every line serves a function," a Pipistrel engineer told us, "whether to reduce wind noise in the cockpit, or for pressure recovery. There is no form on the aircraft that is not shaped for maximum efficiency." That means advanced composites and compound curves. While weight restraint flows right down into the titanium landing gear, it doesn't appear Pipistrel plans to cut corners on creature comforts.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/air-shows-events/pipistrel-four-seater-efficiency-and-speed