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Recently unveiled at the Aero Expo in Freidrichshafen, Germany, Pipistel’s new Panthera four-seater plane can be ordered with a standard, albeit highly efficient, gas engine. But it’s also available in an all-electric model for those preferring an aircraft that produces less air and noise pollution.
Understandably, the Electro edition, which will rely solely on state-of-the-art electric batteries, has a considerably shorter range than the gas model. About 250 miles compared to 1,150 miles on fossil fuels. But charging it at the airport should be considerably cheaper than filling a fuel tank. And since most people will probably be leery about flying in an electric plane given the stories of electric cars randomly stopping, the Panthera comes equipped with a high-speed full airframe parachute system which will deliver it safetly back to Earth if there’s a problem.
Besides a slick streamlined design, the inside of the Panthera includes generously sized touchscreen aviation instruments, front seats that look like they were lifted from a luxury sports car, and extra wide back seats for added passenger comfort. And since you’ll be landing quite often given its limited range, there’s also plenty of storage space for luggage since you’ll probably be spending a lot of time in hotels waiting for it recharge. [Pipistrel via Born Rich]
I’ll take 2.
What’s the cost?
Under 500,000 Euros…
I’d like to know why small planes like this cost so much more than a car. Surely the manufacturing process and the materials can’t be that much more expensive than making an expensive car?
Because they can. That’s like saying “does a Bugatti Veyron really cost 100x more to manufacture than a Ford Fiesta?” The reason these things command such high prices is because only a few people would consider buying them in the first place.
That said, this plane does sound especially luxurious.
Well listen up small aircraft manufacturers. Corner the market and transform the way people travel forever by releasing an affordable aircraft. You will make more money than you can think to do with it and you’ll advance the industry!
If aircraft are over priced just because they can be, I’d be confused as to why companies aren’t trying to release an affordable craft.
People also need to get a pilot’s license, and then there’s the whole kerfuffle with flying regulations and airport landing/takeoffs.
You can’t just fly out of your driveay in the morning and land in a park.
Would be sweet if you could!
Might have something to do with the numbers manufactured..
I think that too, definitely, but if they made the planes affordable then volume would increase.