Originally published at: Wayfarer Tests Retractable Electric Propellers on Cessna 182
NASA-backed program used a one-third-scale 182 demonstrator to test a blown-wing retrofit.
The main gear on the 182 in the photo doesn’t look good with the wheels splayed outward. Adding all those electric motors has got to increase the weight significantly. I read that the motors are powered by on-board batteries since the surge in the power required at takeoff is too much for the aircraft’s electrical system. That’s got to increase weight significantly and limit endurance. I also read that it can take off in 250 feet. The powered lift idea is a good one but battery technology has got to come a lot further to make it viable. eVTOL technology with a hybrid engine seems to be a better strategy.
I cannot believe that they are putting that much time, trouble, and effort into that 182, without doing the 3 blade propeller conversion kits. The 182RG i used to fly was agony without a noise canceled headset and a 2 blade propeller made it ugly past an hour.
It’s a 1/3 scale demonstrator as mentioned in the photo caption.
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