Flight Test Campaign Concludes For EcoPulse EcoPulse, a distributed hybrid-electric propulsion demonstrator developed together between Airbus, Safran and Daher has completed its flight test campaign. Airbus announced the news in December 2024 which resulted in the delivery of crucial insights to meet the decarbonization goals for air transport by 2050. This collaborative project, which is emblematic of the French aerospace sector, has provided unique experience in the design, certification, production, and operation of hybrid-electric aircraft.
The testbed aircraft used for all the testing was a Daher Socata TBM airframe. November 29th, 2023 was the first test flight for the hybrid-electric aircraft. Since its maiden flight, EcoPulse accumulated 100 flight hours and performed some 50 test flights with the distributed hybrid propulsion system, the last of which took place in July 2024. These tests enabled the demonstration of unprecedented onboard electric power levels for distributed electric propulsion, with a network voltage of approximately 800 volts DC and a power output of 350 kilowatts.
Further understanding in efficiency of operations of the emotors garnered quieter cabin environment. Those tests showed that the synchro-phasing of the ePropellers (electric motors) can reduce interior noise. This synchro-phasing is an additional benefit of the innovative flight control computer, primarily designed to maneuver the aircraft – substituting traditional control surfaces –by adjusting the distribution of electric power among the ePropellers.
The testing also highlighted a number of issues and challenges to the process of decarbonization. Electric and hybrid-electric architectures; Development of key components: batteries (performance and operational range) and high-voltage management systems (>400 V); Pilot assistance with specialized interfaces; Demonstration logic for airworthiness; Optimization of weight and noise; and skills associated with managing complexity. The flight test campaign laid the groundwork for compliance documents to meet regulatory requirements for hybrid-electric propulsion flights, establishing the basis for certifying the safety of innovative aircraft configurations. For more information: SOCATA North America, Inc. North Perry Airport, 7501 South Airport Rd. Pembroke Pines, FL 33023 / USA www.tbm.aero ***
