Maybe a first in the world... an electric truck charging an electric plane.

[Drkkngt]

Not sure if this has been done before. An electric truck charging an electric plane.
Helping out ROKTAY on a project he is putting together and he needed to see if a Ford Lightning could charge this Pipistrel Alpha Electro plane. The tests and charging were a success. More to follow in a few weeks. Enjoy

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[GarageMahal]

Cool toys!

 

[HaroldCal]

The future is NOW! That's rad, truly.

 

[Maxx]

Not sure if this has been done before. An electric truck charging an electric plane.
Helping out ROKTAY on a project he is putting together and he needed to see if a Ford Lightning could charge this Pipistrel Alpha Electro plane. The tests and charging were a success. More to follow in a few weeks. Enjoy

Do you know what that box is doing? Just monitoring the juice flow? Or changing it?

 

[Drkkngt]

It is a charging box from Pipistrel used to charge their planes. I don’t know if it’s changing anything or just monitoring the electrical flow.

 

[trev5150]

Basically that’s their charge station pro, does the same thing. Obviously they’re only concerned about saving weight on their airplane ?

I can’t wait to fly one of those.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Cool

 

[roktay]

Hello all,


I first want to thank those of you who responded to my initial message. I also wanted to give everyone an update on the electric airplane flyover.

We successfully charged the electric airplane with two seperate Lightnings (pictured below), thanks to Mel (@Drkkngt ), and Monaco Ford. Having tested the charging process numerous times on two separate vehicles, we are confident in the reliability of this charging method.

We received a letter from Bill Ford, The Chairman of Ford Motor Company, in response to our request for two trucks to be loaned for all the events associated with this flyover. Unfortunately they do not have trucks available for the timeframe we require. However, we are discussing with them the marketing and media coverage of the event and hope they will be able to participate in that aspect of the project.

After I sent the initial forum message 10 days ago I received numerous responses from interested Lightning owners and am hopeful that we can put together a team to do the trip from Hartford, CT to Easton, PA and back with privately owned Lightnings.

The journey from CT to PA will be covered by aerial and ground based film crews to create a short documentary on this first-ever EV recharged electric plane flight, and first-ever electric plane sporting event flyover.

We will need two Lightnings for recharging the plane, each stopping at two of the four airports, because the plane will fly faster than a truck can drive. The hope is for each recharging truck to have a support/filming truck that will carry the film crew and allow people to go get meals while the charging truck is recharging the plane. In total, we are looking for 4 Lightning owners to help.

Weather permitting, this trip will take place on Saturday, November 12th, 2022 and will take the entire day. The return trip is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022. Please let us know if you are able to help on the 12th and/or the 22nd.

If you are interested in helping showcase the electrified future and would like to learn more, please direct message me so I can share my phone number and we can speak on the phone.

Cheers to such a great community!

Sincerely,
Remy Oktay and team

 

[roktay]

Do you know what that box is doing? Just monitoring the juice flow? Or changing it?

It's an AC-DC converter going from 240V AC to about 360V DC. @trev5150 is exactly right, it's a weight saving measure. This device is built into all EVs as it's what allows us to do level 1 and level 2 charging but Pipistrel made it external for the plane to save the 150lbs.

 

[roktay]

We're planning to have a 4 truck convoy for the trip and already have 2 owners/trucks committed, one being Mel!

If you're interested in helping with this project but aren't able to help by bringing your own truck, it would be a huge help if you could get the word out on the forums here so that others who may be available are aware of it and can respond.

Many thanks,
Remy

 

[Pjlightning]

Not sure if this has been done before. An electric truck charging an electric plane.
Helping out ROKTAY on a project he is putting together and he needed to see if a Ford Lightning could charge this Pipistrel Alpha Electro plane. The tests and charging were a success. More to follow in a few weeks. Enjoy

“Electrify the skies!”

I love it - great concept to draw attention to the progress being made in zero emissions aviation, while showing another ingenious use idea for the Lightning’s battery capabilities !

I’m onboard for the road-trip adventure.

any other Tri-State Lightning owners interested too?
I think they’re still looking for one more truck to make this operation take flight!

This is the future…..with lots of possibilities brewing out there. I saw this one today too:

https://twistedsifter.com/2022/10/the-first-all-electric-commuter-airplane-has-taken-to-the-skies/

 

[Joneii]

Hello all,


I first want to thank those of you who responded to my initial message. I also wanted to give everyone an update on the electric airplane flyover.

We successfully charged the electric airplane with two seperate Lightnings (pictured below), thanks to Mel (@Drkkngt ), and Monaco Ford. Having tested the charging process numerous times on two separate vehicles, we are confident in the reliability of this charging method.

We received a letter from Bill Ford, The Chairman of Ford Motor Company, in response to our request for two trucks to be loaned for all the events associated with this flyover. Unfortunately they do not have trucks available for the timeframe we require. However, we are discussing with them the marketing and media coverage of the event and hope they will be able to participate in that aspect of the project.

After I sent the initial forum message 10 days ago I received numerous responses from interested Lightning owners and am hopeful that we can put together a team to do the trip from Hartford, CT to Easton, PA and back with privately owned Lightnings.

The journey from CT to PA will be covered by aerial and ground based film crews to create a short documentary on this first-ever EV recharged electric plane flight, and first-ever electric plane sporting event flyover.

We will need two Lightnings for recharging the plane, each stopping at two of the four airports, because the plane will fly faster than a truck can drive. The hope is for each recharging truck to have a support/filming truck that will carry the film crew and allow people to go get meals while the charging truck is recharging the plane. In total, we are looking for 4 Lightning owners to help.

Weather permitting, this trip will take place on Saturday, November 12th, 2022 and will take the entire day. The return trip is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022. Please let us know if you are able to help on the 12th and/or the 22nd.

If you are interested in helping showcase the electrified future and would like to learn more, please direct message me so I can share my phone number and we can speak on the phone.

Cheers to such a great community!

Sincerely,
Remy Oktay and team

I’m willing to help. I’ve got the time, an ER Lightning and I’m a retired Viper Driver if you need another pilot! Who do I contact for details.

 

[roktay]

I’m willing to help. I’ve got the time, an ER Lightning and I’m a retired Viper Driver if you need another pilot! Who do I contact for details.

Hello Jon,

I just sent you a DM. Looking forward to connecting with you, so cool that you're also an aviator, and a very accomplished one at that!

Cheers,
Remy

 

[Pjlightning]

Had a great time today with Remy as he got the stamp of approval from the local aviation powers that be.

it’s a really amazing set-up - and I certainly never thought my first use of those outlets in the truck bed would be to charge up an airplane for flight!

Thanks Remy ! Exciting being a part of this all.

 

[Nate977p]

Hello Jon,

I just sent you a DM. Looking forward to connecting with you, so cool that you're also an aviator, and a very accomplished one at that!

Cheers,
Remy

Hello!

We are up in Boston but willing to make the trip down if you still need help.

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