Daher Reveals First Hybrid-Electric Flight of Eco-Pulse

The collaborative project between the French OEM, Safran, and Airbus demonstrates the next step in the decarbonization roadmap via distributed propulsion.

Julie Boatman

Tuesday, December 05, 2023 at 01:28 PM ET

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The first flight of the Eco-Pulse in which the pilots engaged Safran’s ePropellers made for an important project milestone. [Courtesy: Daher]

Key Takeaways:

Daher's Eco-Pulse demonstrator successfully completed its first test flight in hybrid-electric mode on November 29, marking a significant milestone in aviation decarbonization efforts.
The flight, a collaboration between Daher, Safran, and Airbus, validated the function of six electric ePropellers, a high-voltage battery pack, distributed electric propulsion, and a hybrid-electric turbogenerator.
This achievement proves the effectiveness of disruptive propulsion systems and high-energy-density batteries, paving the way for more sustainable, hybrid-electric, and all-electric aircraft.

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Daher has announced the next milestone in its collaborative quest with fellow OEMs Safran and Airbus towards the decarbonization of the aviation industry. The project’s Eco-Pulse demonstrator made its first test flight in hybrid-electric mode on November 29, from the company’s European aircraft division headquarters in Tarbes, France.

Engaging its six electric ePropellers—and confirming the proper function of the flight control computer, high-voltage battery pack, distributed electric propulsion, and hybrid electric turbogenerator, the Eco-Pulse took off at 10:32 a.m. local time and flew for 100 minutes, ranging up to roughly 12,500 feet according to flight tracking data. Its ePropellers were powered during the flight by both a battery and a turbogenerator.