e-Go Aeroplanes e-Go

The e-Go Aeroplanes e-Go, originally known as the E-Plane, is a British ultralight and light-sport aircraft that was designed by Giotto Castelli, that was being developed by e-Go Aeroplanes of Cambridge and since May 2017, by GioCAS Aeronautical Consultancy, also located in Cambridge.[2][3]

e-Go
Role Ultralight aircraft and Light-sport aircraft
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer e-Go Aeroplanes
GioCAS Aeronautical Consultancy
Designer Giotto Castelli[1]
First flight 24 October 2013
Status Awaiting production
Unit cost
€60,000 (complete aircraft, estimate, 2013)
Tibenham, first public display of the e-Go, on 30 October 2013
Flight at Old Warden June 2014 with extended lower fins
e-Go at Old Warden in 2014

The aircraft won the Light Aircraft Association's design competition in 2007. It was first flown on 24 October 2013, with the first public flight-test and demonstration on 30 October 2013.[4] The aircraft was initially to be supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft.[5][6]

Production plans for the design were suspended and staff laid off in November 2016 as e-Go Aeroplanes was unable to raise capital in the wake of the British Brexit vote. The aircraft program was acquired by the designer, Castelli, in May 2017, with the aim of bringing it to production.

Design and development

The aircraft was designed to comply with the United Kingdom single-seat deregulated microlight class, as well as to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules. The aircraft cruise speed is planned to be modified for US light-sport aircraft rules.[7] It features a cantilever mid wing, a canard foreplane, a single-seat enclosed cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear and a pusher engine and propeller.[2][3][5] This follows the configuration established by the Rutan VariViggen and VariEze. The single engine is a Rotron Wankel engine based on Rotron's RT300 LCR engine which is intended for drones.

The aircraft is made from a combination of carbon fibre and foam. Its 8 m (26.2 ft) span wing has an area of 11.5 m2 (124 sq ft). The standard engine will be a 22 kW (30 hp) rotary engine, which is expected to give a cruise speed of 100 kn (185 km/h; 115 mph) on 3.5 l (0.8 imp gal; 0.9 US gal) per 100 km (62 mi).[2][3]

During 2016, e-Go Aeroplanes announced that full production would not proceed without further financial input, "an investment memorandum for a third round of funding was issued and distributed in July this year ... shareholder interest generated was insufficient, coupled with the unsure financial market following Brexit. The Board made the very difficult decision to make all staff positions redundant."[8]

In November 2016, e-Go Aeroplanes's operation was mothballed, and "overseen by Chief Operating Officer, Richard Clabon and the General Manager David Boughey". The company website stated that it was still looking for a buyer.[9] but the company went into administration in the spring of 2017.[10]

In May 2017 the assets of e-Go Aeroplanes were acquired by the aircraft's designer, Giotto Castelli, indicating that he would pursue production under his company, GioCAS Aeronautical Consultancy.[11]

Specifications (e-Go)

Data from Bayerl[2][6]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 8 m (26 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 11.5 m2 (124 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 115 kg (254 lb)
  • Gross weight: 243 kg (536 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 25 litres (5.5 imp gal; 6.6 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotron e-Go rotary aircraft engine , 22 kW (30 hp)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed, 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) diameter

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 222 km/h (138 mph, 120 kn)
  • Stall speed: 65 km/h (40 mph, 35 kn)
  • Range: 610 km (380 mi, 330 nmi)
  • Rate of climb: 4.6 m/s (900 ft/min)

Avionics

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References
  1. "Meet The Team". e-Go aeroplanes. 2 November 2013. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  2. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 42. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 44. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
  4. "e-Go aeroplane: Norfolk test flight for Cambridge plane". BBC News. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  5. Tony Bishop. "e-Go aeroplanes". E-go.me. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  6. "e-Go Aeroplanes". Facebook. 13 December 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  7. "First Flight For British Single-Seater". Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  8. October 2016 Company Newsletter email
  9. e-Go Airplanes (2016). "e-Go Airplanes is Seeking a Buyer". Archived from the original on 15 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  10. "Civil Aiviation News". Air Britain Aviation World: 56. June 2017.
  11. Castelli, Giotto (30 May 2017). "e-Go Aeroplanes". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
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