The Daher TBM EcoPulse technology demonstrator has successfully completed its first flight using its six electromotors. The aircraft operated a 1 hour 38 minutes flight out of Tarbes on November 29 and did another 19-minute test flight today in hybrid-electric mode. Previous flights were powered by a conventional Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop.
The EcoPulse is a joint project of aircraft makers Daher, Airbus, and engine maker Safran. The project was announced at the 2019 Paris Airshow and aims to demonstrate hybrid-electric propulsion systems on a small airplane. Lessons learned can be applied to larger-scale aircraft projects. EcoPulse is supported by the French regulatory agency DGAC and the Civil Aviation Research Council CORAC.
Active as a journalist since 1987, with a background in newspapers, magazines, and a regional news station, Richard has been covering commercial aviation on a freelance basis since late 2016.
Richard is contributing to AirInsight since December 2018. He also writes for Airliner World, Aviation News, Piloot & Vliegtuig, and Luchtvaartnieuws Magazine. Twitter: @rschuur_aero.
