|
08/12/07 - Yuneec's E-PAC Flies for 40.63
Minutes
On Saturday 7th December 2007 one of
Yuneec’s E-PAC prototype test units took to the
skies for 40 minutes of electric powered
paramotor flight believed to be one of the
longest electric parawing flights to date. After
the flight the E-PAC unit, which was using 12
battery packs (60A), still recorded 54v under
load, 40% capacity remaining.
Flight Details
Pilot: Mr. Zhang Ke
Flight Data:
Weather: Sunny, 7~12℃
Wing: 27 Square
Meter
E-Pack Weight: 33Kg (with 12
Packs)
Battery Pack Wt: 20Kg
Pilot weight: 75Kg.
Battery No. / Capacity: 12 Packs 60AH
Airspeed into wind: 32-33 km/h
Airspeed downwind (Ave): 36 km/h
The flight was part of Yuneec’s ongoing E-PAC
test programme. Daily ground testing and regular
flight testing have been going on throughout the
summer after the motor and speed controller
specifications and design were finalised. Having
all the development and production of
electronics, software, motor and ancillary parts
for E-PAC under one roof at Yuneec’s new factory
in Shanghai means that constant running changes
can be made to the designs to improve efficiency
and ensure total reliability of operation.
The E-PAC testing programme will continue with
longer and longer flights during the early part
of 2008 prior to production in spring 2008.
11/10/07 - Production Prototype Announced -
Press Release
Since the last information release much has been
going on at Yuneec. In late July we were pleased
to welcome to our Shanghai facility the now
‘World Famous’ Gilo Cardozo of Parajet UK who
had recently flown over Everest in a PPG with
his colleague Bear Grylls.
Gilo
who is consulting to Yuneec on the design of its
electric paramotor flew in for a couple of days
to see the progress on motors and speed
controller units as well as to ‘Fly Electric’
for the first time.
Unfortunately due to bad weather - Yes, wind and
rain in Shanghai!! - Gilo was only able to fly
on the last day of his visit but took to the air
confidently with the standard reduction drive
electric test unit and flew around happily for
25mins before landing.
Gilo
commented afterwards that the speed control of
the electric unit was incredibly smooth and that
he really liked the progressiveness of the
throttle which was far better than any other
paramotor he had ever flown. He said he could
not wait to start testing the production
prototypes expected late November.
During his visit Gilo was able to see the design
and prototype office as well as the current
production facilities. Gilo said he was
impressed by the strength of Yuneec’s hi-tech
R&D capabilities and also the staff who were all
100% dedicated to the success of the EPPM
project.
Since July Gilo and Yuneec’s UK managing
Director Clive Coote have visited the Yuneec
Shanghai facility several more times and their
last visit in October gave Gilo once again the
chance to see and fly the latest motor and speed
controller samples.
Although the early initial test flights were
done with a reduction unit Yuneec has been
working on its own ‘Direct Drive’ motor and
after much testing it is this motor that will be
used in the Yuneec EPPM. The new Yuneec system
features a sensored ‘Direct Drive’ motor
producing 50Kg+ of thrust via a 1.25m prop.
Batteries will be Li-Po.
Test
flights were done with a new frame which
featured a cooling system for the motor and
speed controller. This frame is only for testing
and info on the new revolutionary ‘space age’
frame for Yuneec’s EPPM, which has been designed
by Gilo, will be released before Xmas.
After testing Gilo commented how powerful and
smooth the direct drive electric unit was and
that he looked forward to putting the new frame,
production motor and speed controller units
through their paces late November.
Production is still on target for spring ’08 and
Yuneec looks forward to releasing more detailed
information on our website shortly.
Further information, as it becomes available, on
the Yuneec paramotor can be requested by
emailing Yuneec’s European Managing Director Mr.
Clive Coote at clivecoote@yuneec.co.uk or
calling on 01707 664111 (Office hours).
06/10/07 - Press Release
A
New Player enters the Electric Paramotor arena –
Yuneec International Ltd.
On
the 15th May 2007, following 6 months of
intensive design and development Yuneec
International Ltd flew a prototype of their new
electric paramotor unit in Shanghai for the
first time.
After an initial 10 minute test flight, the unit
was then flown with the same battery for a
further 22 mins in the hands of Mr. Zhang, one
of China’s top paramotor pilots who consults for
Yuneec. An enthusiastic Mr. Zhang said the unit
had plenty of take off power and was amazingly
smooth and responsive in flight.
After a quick battery change Yuneec’s chairman,
Mr. Tian Yu, a novice pilot who had only had
only previously had one short petrol motor
powered paraflight then took to the air with his
own product. After a 10 minute electric flight
Mr. Yu was thrilled with the motor pack saying
that he had never thought the unit would be so
light (unit weighs only 22Kg) and easy to use,
especially for a beginner like himself.
“This will open up paramotoring to a much wider
audience as well as offering existing paraglider
pilots another quieter, more environmentally
acceptable method of propulsion” said Mr. Yu.
Yuneec’s new ‘all in one’ factory in Shanghai
which encompasses everything from design to
mould making, motor winding, PCB and electronic
assembly will produce the paramotor unit. Mass
production is expected to start early 2008 after
further extensive testing during this summer.
Pricing has yet to be advised.
For further
information, as it becomes available, on the
Yuneec paramotor please contact Yuneec’s
European Managing Director Mr. Clive Coote at
clivecoote@yuneec.co.uk
Tel:
+44 (0) 1707 664 111
Fax:
+44 (0) 1707 665 444
|
