Private planes are a luxurious and efficient way to travel, but they have a disproportionately large carbon footprint. New advances in hybrid aviation could lead us into a new, more eco-friendly age of luxury aviation. NASA is leading much of the research and development effort in electric aircrafts and the X-57 concept is their newest objective. The future of electric aviation is making great strides into becoming reality.
Features
The aircraft is nicknamed “Maxwell” in honor of James Clerk Maxwell, a 19th century Scottish physicist who did groundbreaking work in electromagnetism. The plane’s unique design features 14 different motors along the wingspan of the craft. By distributing power to each of these motors NASA hopes to reduce the amount of energy required to fly a private plane at 175 mph. And it’s no small reduction in energy. The electric plane will operate using one-fifth the energy of a standard private plane.
Future of Flight?
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden believes electric aircrafts are the future of flight. He said this about the X-planes in a July briefing:
With the return of piloted X-planes to NASA’s research capabilities – which is a key part of our 10-year-long New Aviation Horizons initiative – the general aviation-sized X-57 will take the first step in opening a new era of aviation.
Faster
In addition to being exceptionally eco-friendly, the electric aircrafts would reduce flight times, making travel faster. Most aircrafts have to fly at a slower speed in order to preserve fuel. Those restrictions would not have to apply to electric airplanes.
Maxwell is the result of NASA’s New Aviation Horizons program. This program will receive $790 million in government initiatives for the X-57 and other green-aviation enterprises. Does this make you excited for advances in electric aviation?
Until this electric concept becomes reality, be sure to choose one of our four world renowned chartered airline services for your luxury travel needs.
