Mass production of China's first new energy aircraft with full composite structure

Developed by Shenyang General Aviation Synergy Innovation Center affiliated to Shenyang Aerospace University, Ruixiang RX1E is the first electric light sport aircraft with independent intellectual property rights in China. The machine has excellent performance and can be widely used for pilot training, sightseeing and travel, high-precision aerial photography and other purposes. Recently, the aircraft successfully completed the low-temperature test flight test, but also entered the mass production stage.

Mass production of China's first new energy aircraft with full composite structure

China's first new energy aircraft, the Ruixiang RX1E electric two-seat light sports aircraft, has successfully completed the low-temperature test flight test and entered the mass production phase. From project project completion to completion of airworthiness verification and production license, Ruixiang RX1E has overcome a number of technical difficulties in less than four years, creating a number of “firsts” in the field of electric aircraft research and development, to provide green aviation. Valuable technical experience.

Using lithium batteries as energy

Every morning, as long as the weather is fine, there are always two or three white electric airplanes with wide wings and light shapes in the Faku Finance Airport in Shenyang, either rising or turning, or spiraling down, adding a bright color to the sky. Currently, the Ruixiang RX1E has been delivered to use 4 aircraft, and more than 20 orders will be completed within the year.

Developed by Shenyang General Aviation Synergy Innovation Center affiliated to Shenyang Aerospace University, Ruixiang RX1E is the first electric light sport aircraft with independent intellectual property rights in China. The machine has excellent performance and can be widely used for pilot training, sightseeing and travel, high-precision aerial photography and other purposes.

"Before 2010, we had the idea of ​​researching new energy general-purpose aircraft. Researching traditional general-purpose aircraft, we started too late compared with European and American countries. Only by developing new energy electric aircraft will it be possible to achieve 'curve overtaking'." Shenyang Airlines Yang Fengtian, president of the University of Aerospace, said.

Huang Jun, a professor at Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, said that the Ruixiang RX1E electric aircraft uses lithium batteries as its energy source and adopts a fully composite body structure with zero pollution, completely avoiding the pollution problems caused by the use of fossil fuels by conventional general aircraft.

“In the past two years, Ruixiang RX1E has participated in the Zhuhai Air Show, the German Aero Show, and the American Flyers Conference. It has become a featured brand of China General Aviation. Many foreign flight agencies are very interested in this aircraft.” Jun said.

Realize the design and application of full composite structure

It was established in June 2012, the first flight in June 2013, and the “Model Design Approval” issued by the National Civil Aviation Administration in February 2015. The production license was approved at the end of 2015... The realization of “Ruixiang Speed” has condensed A lot of hard work of R&D, manufacturing, and test flight personnel.

“The first problem is the weight control problem.” Gu Chao, director of the design department of the Collaborative Innovation Center, said that the Ruixiang RX1E is limited by lithium battery technology, and the power system weighs 35% of the aircraft weight, which limits the take-off and flight time of the aircraft.

The development team is constantly conducting technical explorations. “A few nights I fell asleep on the side of the plane.” Gu Chao said that the RX1E aircraft finally realized the structural design and technical application of the full composite material, which greatly reduced the structural weight of the aircraft, and at the same time improved and improved motor efficiency. 94%, improved utilization of lithium battery packs.

"To be innovative, we must also be grounded." Yang Fengtian said that electric aircraft is the main development direction of green aviation development. It must be innovative. It must have advanced ideas and ideas. At the same time, it must be "grounded" and should be good at turning theory into actual.

In order to ensure the safety of electric aircraft, it is necessary to carry out a one-month low temperature test, which requires “following the plane to run” at 4 o'clock in the morning in the cold weather in the northeast; during the airworthiness verification, hundreds of test flights are running. Researchers and test pilots in the hangar for several months in the mosquito nets, hit the floor shop... Ruixiang RX1E research and development, manufacturing team, senior research experts, and more than 80% of young people under the age of 30, they The practical action interprets the fighting spirit of “sports and learning”.

Have more mature technical conditions

Every weekend, the Aviation Club of Liaoning Ruixiang General Aviation Co., Ltd. in Faku will welcome some aviation enthusiasts to conduct flight test and driving training.

Zhang Liguo, general manager of the company, introduced that the company has carried out the training of sports license pilots. At present, the first batch of nine graduates have already begun to engage in flight test and training.

"The first and foremost condition for the development of general aviation is to attract the masses to participate actively and play first." Yang Fengtian said, "The glory of the automobile industry is impossible without the participation of the general public. Among them, the training of motorists is indispensable. To develop the aviation industry, we must first have pilots, coaches, and play, and it will be fruitful in three to five years."

"I have had the dream of conquering the blue sky since I was a child. I didn't expect to have an aviation dream in Shen Hang. I also hope to help more people complete their aviation dreams," said Yong Cheng, a 25-year-old graduate from Shenyang Aerospace University, one of the first batch of students.

Yang Fengtian said that with the rapid breakthrough of materials and technologies such as graphene, high-performance composite materials, digital design and manufacturing technology, and multi-disciplinary optimization design technology for aircraft, the development of electric general-purpose aircraft has mature technical conditions and the best development opportunities. "We are developing a four-seat general-purpose aircraft with pure electric full-materials, and hope to further promote the development of the green navigation industry."