Called aboard the first electric plane made in Colombia
More than 100 years have passed since the Wright brothers' first airplane flight on October 17, 1903. The first aviators, Wilbur and Orville Wright, recognized as the world's pioneers of aviation, built and flew the first airplane, a 35-kilogram plane equipped with a 12-horsepower engine that launched them into the air on a short flight lasting 12 seconds and traveling 36 meters.
Today, 118 years later, José Alejandro Posada Montoya, a research professor at the Pascual Bravo University Institution, is about to fly what would become the first electric airplane manufactured in Colombia. The project was born 10 years ago when the decision was made to create an electric airplane that would reduce the environmental impact of aviation on the planet, such as heat emissions, noise pollution, and CO2 and gas particles.
The prototype is very similar to the one flown by the Wright brothers. The first tests were conducted on the Pascual Bravo soccer field, which served as the runway for the taxiing test phases. Last weekend, after obtaining the necessary permits and licenses from Aerocivil, taxiing tests began on a private runway in Bolombolo, a district of Venecia, Antioquia. These tests consist of taking the aircraft to different speeds for takeoff acceleration and braking, testing the aircraft's maneuverability on the ground, assessing the controls' response to the demands, and ensuring that the engines, batteries, and electrical components do not overheat.
"Bolombolo has an 850-meter runway. According to calculations, the aircraft's required takeoff distance is 66 meters. We have ample time to take off, stay in the air, and land safely again. Once we see that the aircraft is responding satisfactorily, we can take off and fly a circuit around the runway," says Engineer Posada. There's a bit of fear, but that's normal; it's a new aircraft that hasn't been tested in the country.
The aircraft is equipped with two lithium batteries, each with 310 cells generating 58.8 volts and 72 amp-hours as an electrical charging unit, a controller, and two permanent magnet motors, each with 10 kilowatts. Its structure is made of aeronautical aluminum covered in aeronautical fabric that complies with all safety protocols and systems.
When it comes to connectivity, the aircraft connects via Bluetooth using a smartphone, a model equipped with all the avionics to monitor the altitude, speed, current, consumption, and status of each of the batteries.
"The goal is to demonstrate that in Colombia we can carry out projects that combat climate change and reduce particulate matter in cities," he adds.
In addition to being a mechanical and aerospace engineer, Alejandro is trained as a commercial pilot and is part of the flight test team. “There's a bit of fear, which is normal. It's a new aircraft that hasn't been tested in the country and is barely being tested worldwide, but we're confident that with all the evaluations that have been done and those we will do there, it will be successful,” says the engineer.
We can proudly say that this model is the first electric aircraft built in Colombia and one of the first in Latin America.
This innovative aircraft is approximately 11 meters wide and 5.5 meters long.
This innovative aircraft is approximately 11 meters wide and 5.5 meters long. PHOTO: JAIVER NIETO ÁLVAREZ / ETCE
There have been other advances in other countries. For example, in the United States, they converted a six-passenger plane and are working on converting a 12-passenger Cessna Alcaravan. In Europe, Slovenia manufactured the first electric aircraft with a European certification; and, by 2025, Norway expects all flights under 30 minutes to be made on electric planes. Many professors and students from the Pascual Bravo Environmental Research Institute and the Environmental Research and Innovation Group, mechanical, electrical, and electronic engineers, have contributed to the development of the project, helping the aircraft begin to accumulate flight hours.
In the future, the professor and Pascual Bravo hope to continue advancing their project to take to the skies, increasing flight time from one hour to three, and allowing for the ability to carry four passengers.
Other goals
These researchers also aim to build aircraft with greater efficiency, economy, and cargo capacity that respond to Colombia's climatic and topographical conditions.
They dream of creating a national aeronautical industry, not only for airplanes but also for buses, trains, and, in general, electric mobility for cities.
https://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/m...imer-avion-electrico-hecho-en-colombia-609590
Sugarcane growers save up to 30% on fumigation costs with ultralight aircraft
Olbar Eduardo García, manager of Fumicaña and promoter of the use of technologies such as ultralight aircraft for crop fumigation, spoke with Agronegocios.
Ximena González
February 13, 2019
Fumicaña Ltda., with more than 25 years of experience and ISO 9001 certification, has been one of the pioneering companies in offering precision agriculture aerial operations using specialized equipment, the Aero Agro AA-100 aircraft. This design is currently successfully completing its certification process as an ultralight aircraft under the European CS-VLA aeronautical standard.
Olbar Eduardo García, manager of Fumicaña and one of the promoters of the use of technologies such as ultralight aircraft for crop spraying, spoke with Agronegocios about his operation in the sugarcane fields of Valle del Cauca and how this system allows producers to save up to 30% in costs while being environmentally friendly.
What does the certification process involve?
In 2012, the Civil Aeronautics created a new Aeronautical Regulation, RAC 26 and 137, in which certain processes must be carried out in an acceptable manner, complying with the standard, in order to receive approval and obtain the Special Airworthiness Certificate and continue operating as a commercial aerial spraying company. We are currently finalizing flight test runs.
What does this certification mean for the company?
It is the start of a new commercial aerial spraying company that opens its doors to the national market with the best technology and low operating costs. This will boost the agricultural sector, bringing greater yields to the various crops in our country.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pr9qaib0WY
What are the characteristics of the Aero Agro AA-100?
Fumicaña Ltda is characterized by innovation and the advanced technology developed over the years. This has been demonstrated by the Aero Agro AA-100 aircraft, which is characterized by its ultralight nature, a spraying speed of less than 120 kilometers per hour, and is equipped with satellite technology, guaranteeing greater coverage and excellent results in its application work.
How does it work?
The effectiveness and widespread acceptance of the aircraft has been due to its precision agriculture system (satellite flagging), accompanied by pre-calibrated spraying equipment that guarantees greater coverage and uniformity in the crop. It is worth noting that the engine, being located at the rear and above, does not influence the spray trail, providing greater safety and uniformity when performing its work.
With the use of this technology, how much could costs be reduced?
Using ultralight aircraft reduces application costs by more than 30% due to the aircraft's low operating cost and the ability to operate at ultra-low volumes. This results in a homogeneous droplet size, greater coverage, and greater efficiency when aerial spraying crops.
How many sugar mills use this type of ultralight aircraft for spraying?
Currently, the entire sugar industry has implemented aerial spraying using ultralight aircraft, especially due to their low operating costs, advanced technology, and environmental friendliness. Fumicaña Ltda has been known for providing its services to a large portion of the sugarcane sector, taking into account the demands and standards these large companies have achieved over time.
What is the maximum and minimum height the aircraft can reach?
Due to its configuration and the task at hand, it is capable of flying up to one meter above the crop. However, thanks to its excellent aerodynamic design and powerful engine, it achieves a service ceiling of 10,000 feet (3,048 meters), covering all terrains in our country.
What factors make this aircraft environmentally friendly?
Its "pusher" engine configuration (located in the rear) makes it environmentally friendly, and we operate with lead-free fuels. This reduces polluting emissions. Furthermore, the aircraft's low-speed flight and the use of a large droplet size for spraying prevent the droplets from evaporating and polluting the environment.
Lee nuestro artículo sobre Olbar Eduardo García, gerente de Fumicaña y promotor del uso de tecnologías como los aviones ultralivianos para la fumigación de...
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