High School

An electric aircraft has a battery with a specific energy of 215 Wh/kg, a lift-to-drag ratio (L/D) of 12.5, and an efficiency of 65%. The battery mass is 720 kg, the empty mass is 1980 kg, and the total mass, including passengers, is 4080 kg.

What is the estimated range?

Answer :

The estimated range of the electric aircraft is approximately 24.98 kilometers.

Calculate the estimated range of an electric aircraft using battery specific energy, L/D ratio, and efficiency. To estimate the range of an electric aircraft, let's start with some given values: specific energy of the battery, L/D ratio, efficiency of the propulsion system, battery mass, empty mass, and total mass (including passengers and cargo.

The estimated range of the electric aircraft can be calculated using the specific energy of the battery, L/D ratio, and efficiency.

  1. Calculate the energy in the battery:
    720kg * 215 Wh/kg
    = 154800 Wh
    = 154.8 kWh
  2. Calculate the range:
    (Efficiency * Battery Energy) / Total Mass
    = (0.65 * 154.8 kWh) / 4080 kg
    = 24.98 kWh/kg

Therefore, the estimated range of the electric aircraft is approximately 24.98 kilometers.