Conceptual Design of a 10-passenger Thin-haul Electric Aircraft

With the development of battery technology, the all-electric airplane for thin-haul applications is becoming a reality in the upcoming decade. Compared to the traditional fossil-fuel-dependent airplanes, the electric-powered aircraft offers lower cost in terms of operation and maintenance and generates fewer greenhouse gases. The present study documents the effort in the conceptual design phase of a 10-passenger aircraft for thin-haul applications. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, the airplane falls into the category of general aviation. The range of the aircraft is 500nm VFR. It features a joint-wing design for better aerodynamic performance and is powered by two, newly designed, ducted propulsors. The maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of the airplane is 15,400 lb, and the cruise speed of the aircraft is 245 KTAS (0.42 Mach) at an altitude of 30,000 ft. The takeoff and landing distances are 2200 ft and 1650 ft, respectively. To meet the range requirement, the battery weighs approximately 51% of MTOW using a pack level battery density of 300 Whr/kg, which is expected to be available at the early-to-mid 2020s.