Netherlands – Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) and E‑Flight Academy have initiated the “DEPART” research project focused on battery‑lifespan optimisation for electric training aircraft. The collaboration will utilise two electric aircraft from E‑Flight’s fleet under differentiated take‑off regimes to evaluate battery degradation under real‑world training operations.

• Two of E‑Flight’s Green Aerolease aircraft will participate: one (registration F‑HGBC) performing full‑power take‑offs, the other (F‑HGBD) executing reduced‑power take‑offs (~40 kW) where operationally safe.

• Each aircraft will be fitted with new battery systems and flown up to 200 hours under controlled conditions. All flight and charging data will be captured and analysed by NLR’s specialist teams.

• The aim: to assess how take‑off power profiles influence battery degradation and thereby optimise training‑aircraft operating cost and sustainability.

Source: E‑Flight Academy
Photo Credit: E‑Flight Academy