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With the aviation industry increasingly focusing on sustainability, several manufacturers are developing electric and hybrid aircraft for various purposes. Among them, Airbus and Textron Aviation are notable players investing in this future-oriented technology.
The Solar Impulse 2, a solar-powered aircraft from Solar Impulse, features approximately 17,000 solar cells on its wings. This Swiss experimental aircraft is powered solely by sunlight and has achieved significant milestones. "In 2015 and 2016, the aircraft circumnavigated the globe," departing from Abu Dhabi, UAE. The journey covered 42,000 kilometers over 16 months in 17 stages. Bertrand Piccard, a philanthropist and balloon pilot, dedicated 15 years to this project. The Solar Impulse 2 marked the first circumnavigation of the earth by a piloted fixed-wing aircraft using only solar power.
Pipistrel has introduced the Taurus Electro, recognized as the first fully electric two-seat aircraft. It operates at 35 KW horsepower with a maximum cruise speed of 82 knots. Notably cost-effective, maintenance expenses are just "70 cents per hour," making it significantly cheaper than its competitors.
