We consistently are seeing these “electric 100-mile transport aircraft” articles as if some great milestone has been passed that makes the concept viable. Are there that many scheduled air transport operators that ONLY fly routes that are comfortably within the ranges these near-future 10-30 pax electrics are going to offer? Or small operators who could afford to maintain special aircraft that can service only their shortest routes? Or can afford the turn-around times recharging at every stop dictates?
My continuing skepticism arises from my own operation profile, which is probably close to that of the shortest short-route operators. I just returned from my regular Friday $100 (OK, that’s in 1989 dollars) breakfast flight with the group, which in the waning years of my flying career is pretty much representative of my flying now. You might think an electric would be right up my alley, but even for this limited mission profile, 100 miles in still air absolutely wouldn’t cut it. As would be the case on a high percentage of our regular excursions, this morning I’d have been electron-dry before getting home. Double that range would still be confining. Methinks there are major hurdles in range yet to be cleared.