Lélio: The fully electric airship successfully completes its first flight
This page is translated from the original post "Lélio : le dirigeable 100 % électrique a réussi son premier vol" in French.
- 09/06/2023 10:12
On Wednesday, June 8, 2023, the presentation of the electrically propelled airship Lélio took place. In a few months, the French aircraft will attempt a world speed record.
155 horsepower, yes yes you read correctly, the power of the airship is indeed 155 horsepower! The airship will operate the propellers solely thanks to the power of electric motors. The aircraft will be 32 meters long and weigh 10 kilograms when inflated with helium and fully equipped. Even more impressive, according to the two companies that co-manufactured it (Koesio-Kinetic), it will emit no CO2 into the air.
The project was launched in 2012. Eleven years later, the project becomes a reality with the first flight that took place yesterday, Wednesday, June 7. At the controls of this project are Pierre Chabert, who is the airship pilot, and entrepreneur Pieric Brenier.
A record in sight
The main goal of the airship is to break the world record for crossing the Mediterranean Sea, then the Atlantic Ocean. Another world record is also targetted: the speed record. In 2004, Steve Fossett managed to fly at a maximum of 115 km/h. The French aircraft will try to beat this record.
A well-focused goal
The other main objective of this flying balloon is to prove that airships will be one of the future modes of transportation. Meanwhile, other aerial means are being developed. Notably, the eVTOL, which will have its first exhibition at Le Bourget in a little over two weeks.
Read also : Discover the ES-30, the 100% electric airplane that will fly in 2028
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