Skies Turning Green for Flight Challenge

September 29, 2011 — Forget about the “wild blue yonder.” In Santa Rosa, California, green is taking over the skies. The Green Flight Challenge, sponsored by Google, aims to push the envelope in aviation technology with three teams — PhoEnix, Pipistrel-USA and e-Genius — competing for the NASA funded prize of $1.65 million. In addition, the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University team is flying demonstration flights in its EcoEagle after it was disqualified. The Pipistrel blog reported that rules dictate that the aircraft be flown with two people. However, university rules allow only one person to fly in an experimental plane. The planes have already completed takeoff noise and distance tests. All successfully took off and cleared the 50-foot height requirement and met a noise level no greater than 78 dBA at full power takeoff. In addition, the competitors have completed the fuel efficiency phase of the competition, flying four cycles of a closed loop course with an average speed of at least 100 mph, all while using the energy equivalent of less than one gallon of gasoline per passenger. e-Genius completed the course in a little less than two hours, followed shortly by Pipistrel USA.com. The PhoEnix came in after about 2½ hours in the air, shortly after the EcoEagle. Today’s competition will involve speed flight, with the aircraft required to fly 200 miles in less than two hours while using less than one gallon of fuel per occupant or the equivalent in electricity. The focus of the challenge is to advance technologies in fuel efficiency and reduced emissions with cleaner renewable fuels and electric aircraft. Such technologies and innovations include, but are not limited to, bio-fueled propulsion; breakthroughs in batteries, motors, solar cells, fuel cells and ultra-capacitors that enable electric-powered flight; advanced high-lift technologies for very short takeoff and landing distances; ultra-quiet propellers; enhanced structural efficiency built on advances in materials science and nanotechnology; and safety features such as vehicle parachutes and air bags. The Green Flight Challenge, managed by the CAFE Foundation, is one of five NASA Centennial Challenge technology prize competitions. The program, which began in 2005, is named in recognition of the first centennial anniversary of powered flight. The challenge continues through October 1, with an awards ceremony scheduled for October 3 at NASA’s Ames Research Center.

The PhoEnix aircraft soars across the finish line of the miles per gallon flight. Photo credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls The e-Genius in flight at the Green Flight Challenge. Photo credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls The Pipistel-USA comes in for a landing. Photo credit: Pipistel

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