Feasibility Study of Electrified Light-Sport Aircraft Powertrains

Abstract

A theory-based aerodynamic model developed and applied to electrified powertrain configurations was intended to analyze the feasibility of implementing fully electric and serial hybrid electric propulsion in light-sport aircraft. The range was selected as the primary indicator of feasibility. A MATLAB/Simulink environment was utilized to create the models, involving the combination of proportional-integral-derivative controllers, aerodynamic properties of a reference aircraft, and powertrain limitations taken from off-the-shelf components. Simulations conducted by varying missions, batteries, fuel mass, and energy distribution methods provided results showcasing the feasibility of electrified propulsion with current technology. Results showed that the fully electric aircraft range was only 5% of a traditionally powered aircraft with current battery technology. Hybrid electric aircraft could achieve 44% of the range of a traditionally powered aircraft, but this result was found to be almost wholly related to fuel mass. Hybrid electric powertrains utilizing an energy distribution with their optimal degree of hybridization can achieve ranges up to 3% more than the same powertrain utilizing a different energy distribution. Results suggest that improvements in the power-to-weight ratio of the existing battery technology are required before electrified propulsion becomes a contender in the light-sport aircraft segment.