Electric Planes Have Landed!

Рет қаралды 67,129

Жыл бұрын

In Vancouver, Canada, the team at Harbour Air are on a mission to electrify their fleet of 40 seaplanes starting with the 62 year old, Beaver DHC2. Imogen visited the team to find out how they're getting on with the electric makeover of this Canadian icon and see what challenges they've encountered along the way. Harbour Air has been connecting coastal communities with tiny planes since 1982 and is determined to storm ahead in the race to electrify aviation and give old planes new leases of electric life!
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#electric #electricplane #seaplane #beaverDHC2 #harbourair #vancouver #britishcolumbia #sustainability #electricaviation #electricflight

Пікірлер: 436

@chrisbarnes2823 Жыл бұрын

A Beaver float plane will never die, they started out with radial engine’s then turboprop’s. The short range needed around the Vancouver islands makes this plane ideal.

@paulkainer269 Жыл бұрын

@Chris Barnes. Weight vs energy density is very big issue with a plane vs say a car. But that being said, where there is a will there will be a way. Should be interesting to see how some try to make it work

@kadmow Жыл бұрын

Ideal: so long as there is no significant weight to carry. Or Mandatory "Fuel Reserve" - I remember doing the numbers on this plane when first announced, the problem with commercial operations isn't "can it fly the route", it is more - "can it fly the routes with useful payload, plus mandatory reserves" (being a floatplane doesn't eliminate "mandatory" reserve energy (fuel proxy) needed in an E-Plane that costs a LOT more in payload than conventionally)... Love electric planes - Incidentally I have been flying e-RC planes (big ones) for "a long time" - how long - "long" (jk) - flown Fuel powered GA - on and off for a while too.

@grejen711 Жыл бұрын

@@kadmow Really gotta get Transport Canada on board with relaxing that mandatory reserve somewhat for these types of runs. Carrying a 45 min reserve for a 20 minute flight seems a bit overkill. He did mention they were getting a 20 minute reserve power on a 20 minute flight so maybe they have a special flight operation certificate or some such.

@kadmow Жыл бұрын

@@grejen711 . Minimum reserve practically (safe not necessarily legal) needs to be at least back to base, functionally Vancouver to (say) Victoria, return with ( 30min reserve to allow for an INTER but not a TEMPO) margins for SAFETY - Who cares if one's energy source of choice isn't economically viable - one doesn't "PLAN" to be on the edge of safety - busting mins means "MAYDAY Fuel" that is a serious breach when the public rely on you and trust you with their lives. -Phone tower after landing to "Please explain", Necessitating Recharging after only one leg would make the setup nonviable commercially - any twin otter with volume and range to spare will eat any eBeaver operator. Lol...

@peterbrook6866 Жыл бұрын

Also would be ideal in the Maldives.

@pangit9999 Жыл бұрын

Enjoying watching Imogen's reports. She's a great addition to the Fully Charged team!

@FishplateFilms Жыл бұрын

True ...and much better to look at and listen to than Jack! IMO of course :-)

@avatr7109 Жыл бұрын

@@FishplateFilms yeah her Indian husband breeds with her

@flyingpanhandle Жыл бұрын

Ah of course, two thirsty males have to comment about her looks and 'breeding'. Welcome to the 21st century lads.

@tonyhussey3610 Жыл бұрын

@@Degartuo no he wouldn't, but remember not to feed the trolls 🧌

@helphelpimbeingrepressed9347 Жыл бұрын

@@avatr7109 It is our custom here on Earth for husbands to ahem..."breed" with wives, no need to be alarmed.

@davefroman4700 Жыл бұрын

As someone who lives directly under their flight path into Victoria harbour? I can hardly wait for these to take over.

@lynbartram3491 Жыл бұрын

Hurrah! You actually listened to my suggestion. As a Vancouverite I love what these guys are trying to do.

@paulski1080 Жыл бұрын

Great to see the harbour planes going electric in beautiful British Columbia. Love that place.

@paulski1080 Жыл бұрын

@Harry Groundwater I'm British, but spent a year working in Whistler way back in 04/05. Best year of my life!

@1964mcqueen Жыл бұрын

Always happy to see Canada featured on the channel. It would be great to see a show from my city, Kingston, Ontario. We have 2 new electric car ferries coming that will transport people to and from Wolfe Island and Amherst Island in Lake Ontario. Both of which are dotted with wind turbines, 112 in total. The Wolfe Island Ferry will carry 80 vehicles and 400 passengers. The Amherst Island Ferry will carry 42 vehicles and 300 passengers. These will serve people in their daily commute as well as tourists who travel to the islands in the summer months. We will also be home to a brand new battery recycling facility which will supply materials to the new battery manufacturing facility being built down the 401 (big highway) in Windsor.

@stephenp448 Жыл бұрын

No kidding! That would beat the tar over the present Wolfe Islander running it's diesel 24/7.

@patrickjr11 Жыл бұрын

a facinating episode. I love the idea of retro fitting old planes. and it also shows that small scale commercial flying is both possible and going to be common place. a great presenter too. has really hit the ground running.

@grahamstevenson1740 Жыл бұрын

No it'll literally never take off because at best all it can manage is a couple of tens of minutes of flight. It also only is relevant to smaller lightweight 'no frills' airframes.

@alanmay7929 Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately those old retrofits aren’t going to be super common tbh! Electric cars/ aircrafts….. needs significantly more modern/lightest materials like composite materials….. to even Maximize in the range….

@grahamstevenson1740 Жыл бұрын

@@alanmay7929 Cars aren't really a problem. Their weight is entirely acceptable and they roll on the ground on wheels. Weight is EVERYTHING with flight however and batteries just don't hold enough energy for much more than tens of minutes of it. It seems everyone these days thinks anything can fly if it bolt a propeller onto it. Not so actually. Drones fly because they're super lightweight.

@barrylenihan8032 10 ай бұрын

Went from Vancouver to Victoria 15 years ago. Great experience and surprised at how smooth the take-off and landing were.

@robertarmstrong3478 Жыл бұрын

Took a flight with Harbour Air on holiday in Vancouver years ago. Got the T shirt! Great to see them going strong and innovating with the Beaver.

@good.morning.everyone Жыл бұрын

I would love to see the evolution expand to Cessna single engines. A ready electrification modification for a 172/182 would truly awaken the aviation community. I agree, it’s coming, it’s just a matter of letting battery technology and innovation catching up with our dreams.

@grahamstevenson1740 Жыл бұрын

A C152/172/182 would be far too heavy for 'conversion'.

@Noukz37 Жыл бұрын

Finding a electric conversion kit for the VW Beetle is so easy now, so just like that the 172/182 series could be a perfect candidate for a company that is brave enough to get busy with that. 🙂

@grahamstevenson1740 Жыл бұрын

@@Noukz37 As long as you don't expect to carry ant passengers maybe ! That Beaver was just stuffed with batteries and carried niopassengers either,

@jeschinstad Жыл бұрын

The problem is that fossil planes are designed the way they are for a reason, which is inefficient for electric planes. Electric planes should be designed around the fact that they are electric. For fun, though, retrofitting is nice.

@ericpeters9476 Жыл бұрын

HA also flys 180 on floats. The reason they chose the beaver is there are 3 gas tanks in the belly (95 gallons US) and 2 wing tip tanks.(20 gallons each). They could replace the belly tanks with 600 lbs of batteries with out changing the CG. The 180 has the tanks inboard in the wings, this is not usable space for batteries in a retro fit.

@christill Жыл бұрын

I love how they were pioneers and get to be pioneers again. So cool. There’s something so cool about propeller aircraft, especially when electric.

@stickynorth Жыл бұрын

This video makes me so happy as a Canadian, a greenie and an aviation fan! Well done!

@robinhood1488 Жыл бұрын

I just love Imogen's commentary. Far be it from irritating - which is what so many presenters suffer from (why? - be yourself), Imogen's lovely accent and voice combination is a pleasure to listen to. And how ironic I should come across this video - I lived in Maple Bay just north of Victoria on Vancouver Island and saw these beavers operating every day from '94 to '99. Retired in the UK now.

@brianb-p6586 Жыл бұрын

The general message of the video is well done, acknowledging the real issues of electrically-powered flight.

@leonardodeangelis4403 Жыл бұрын

The 1884 electric “flight” was performed on an airship. I’m writing this because I remembered that the first controlled, sustained flight (the one performed by Wright brothers) was not earlier than 1903 (for 6km). But the thing is in fact correct if you consider airships in the story.

@kadmow Жыл бұрын

(Wright bros "event" - was specifically in the category of - "heavier than air" craft... no probs there, it is clearly recorded in historical annals.)

@Alex-cw3rz Жыл бұрын

Well I mean hot air balloon also beat airships, 1783 so 101 years earlier. And as someone else pointed out heavier than air travel is the wright brothers and the others

@davemacmurchie6982 2 ай бұрын

The Beaver is not just an iconic sight around here, it's an iconic sound. Are they going to play tapes of that wonderful P-W ridial?

@coniow Жыл бұрын

The fuel bill must be a big percentage for their overheads, and at todays inflated prices, it must be huge. For their type of flying electric motors just make sense!

@Alessandro--- Жыл бұрын

Thing is, electricity isn't free either ... and since a lot of it comes from fossil fuels, the price of electricity is a function of the price of energy as a whole. Still, in this use case, it makes a lot of sense!

@spokehedz Жыл бұрын

I've owned cars that I have jokingly said the value of doubles if I had a full tank of gas. I wonder if there is something similar for aircraft.

@matthewspry4217 Жыл бұрын

@@Alessandro--- it's not free but you can fix your electricity costs , with oil power thats all at the mercy of the next potential war 👍

@peterchandler8505 Жыл бұрын

@@Alessandro--- If it is anything like battery electric cars, the fuel costs drop by about 80% (note that is not zero..), plus a massive reduction in maintenance costs. Would guess that the installation costs would not take long to cover?

@yodaiam1000 Жыл бұрын

@@Alessandro--- Electricity is relative cheap in BC and fuel costs are some of the worst in North America. 95% of the electricity in BC is produced by Hydro dams rather than fossil fuels. It costs me about $8 Canadian (about $6.20 USD) to drive 400km in my Kona. To use gasoline in a similar car would cost about $75 CDN for 400km. Maintenance costs for electric cars is much cheaper. That is especially true for airplanes.

@madspacepig Жыл бұрын

Imogen's presentation gesture style is holding an invisible football.

@imogenpierce3397 Жыл бұрын

hahaha - this really made me chuckle. I'll go for an invisible rugby ball next time

@mikemellor759 Жыл бұрын

Looking forward to lots more episodes from Vancouver. Imogen is a great presenter and your production team really impressive - thank you 🙏

@ElliotBlyth Жыл бұрын

This is really fantastic, thanks so much for sharing!

@54mgtf22 Жыл бұрын

Nice beaver (to quote Leslie Nielson) Love your work 👍

@jackwarren8498 Жыл бұрын

For those, like me, who are probably a little confused: Yes Charles Reynard had electric flight in 1884, and the Wright brothers flew in 1903. Reynard was a dirigible engineer (airships/blimps etc.) Don't think that contradicts anything - those concerned, please stand down :-)

@sunilalexandercampianregis8874 Жыл бұрын

Amazing! All beginnings are weak; but well begun is half done. I love this clip.

@allansteidle7348 Жыл бұрын

Great stuff, nice to see these companies taking such bold and encouraging steps on sustainability.

@dougashton Жыл бұрын

Really enjoying the electric aviation series from Imogen. Thanks!

@BobQuigley Жыл бұрын

Great one fully charged! Thanks

@StarBoundFables Жыл бұрын

Brilliant! As some1 who grew up in Vancity, I'm looking forward to the 2023 FC Live event 😃 I definitely want to try flying in an electric Harbour Air seaplane. I've only ever used the ferry boats & it's pretty easy to imagine our network of islands being more integrated with this type of travel. Way-to-go, Harbour Air for this wonderful mission y'all are on & thanks Fully Charged for covering this 🙏🏽

@pkbrown58 Жыл бұрын

Surprised we couldn't see/hear a take off sequence with the sound of that electric powered prop.

@salvadorcoling8403 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for featuring my city. We have plenty of EV users here, specially Tesla.

@tamagine Жыл бұрын

Another great episode! I hope we get to see even more companies following suit and going electric.

@markmiller6844 Жыл бұрын

I've followed this since 2019. I rely on text and static imagery, but this video is next level.

@bibliotek42 Жыл бұрын

Excellent episode, covering the advantages and the challenges of electrification. Retrofitting must be supported so it can grow from a cottage industry to a normal thing for normal cars.

@northcountryman Жыл бұрын

I am really excited for electric flight, as I no longer take pleasure trips on planes as it's not good for my conscience. I live in Nanaimo BC, and Harbour Air has a base operating out of the Harbour where it will be so much nicer to walk when there fleet is fully charged and we no longer have to breath in the diesel fumes and listen to the din of their current fleet. I am so happy with what they are trying to do and wish them every success! Thanks for another great video!!

@Joseph-jy5lz Жыл бұрын

Nice review. Nice to see Harbour Air moving things along with their partners.

@kloparen7376 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful video. When she said they were pioneers and will be pioneers again, that almost made me cry.

@forgotten_world Жыл бұрын

It's so beautiful. How amazing. Great video!

@khawlafazzani Жыл бұрын

I'm so excited for this to become the new norm!

@xjester60x Жыл бұрын

The first time I started up a radial engined Otter is forever etched in my mind. The sound. The power. The smell. The feeling. It makes my heart race to this day just thinking about it. The "romance" of flight will never be electric. It may be "practical"....some day.. but it will always be like comparing a house painter to Rembrandt.

@johnstraw6138 Жыл бұрын

More of this young lady and aeroplanes please!

@vmlinuz Жыл бұрын

I flew Vancouver to Victoria a few years ago on Harbour Air, and it was quietly one of the most fun things I've ever done - I'd love to be able to go back in a few years and do it again in an electric plane!

@wavesummit Жыл бұрын

Very cool to see this, I live in Nanaimo and actually took a flight with Harbour Air from Vancouver on my return journey from the UK in April

@FishplateFilms Жыл бұрын

Gee...an electric Beaver....well I never?? A terrific episode and what a refreshing change to see Imogen again on screen. This is what I look for as a long time patreon member...professional presentation and interesting topics ! Thanks team. GRegg.

@andymcvean9631 Жыл бұрын

Great episode. As a pilot I am super excited about this new era. Loving the channels new presenter too!

@viviennepatterson5950 Жыл бұрын

Excited to see more on electric plane conversions.

@peterchandler8505 Жыл бұрын

Quite agree, maybe look at the Pipistrel Panthera Electro that was hinted at when the Pipistrel flight trainer was covered?

@wanaan Жыл бұрын

The point about propeller design not having the old requirement is interesting. Never thought about that part before.

@mngbennett Жыл бұрын

Yeah! I am happy to see my province showing up in your show.

@avidian888 Жыл бұрын

Very brilliant, thank you for another magnificent video!

@ThalassTKynn Жыл бұрын

Man I wish I was in BC. I'd work for these guys in a heartbeat. Viking Air need to start making new Beavers, Otters, etc, with electric versions!

@brianb-p6586 Жыл бұрын

Only the Twin Otter is still (or rather, again) in production. They are considering electric options for something, but not sharing any details.

@ThalassTKynn Жыл бұрын

@@brianb-p6586 well that's promising at least.

@vremster Жыл бұрын

Wonderful to see a retrofit/reuse idea like this. Not everything has to be brand new, designed from the ground up. If you do a follow-up I'd love to hear about the difference in noise - piston to turboprop to electric.

@MaltAndPepper Жыл бұрын

This presenter is new to me, but I'm a fan already! Well shot as well.

@chrispyak Жыл бұрын

Great episode, wonderful pictures - what I would have loved to see: An impression of how it feels to fly in the electric plane. How loud is it for passengers compared to traditional airplanes of the same type?

@Starhartdeer Жыл бұрын

Thanks for filming the PNW and doing more episodes on electric flight!

@brianb-p6586 Жыл бұрын

That's what we call the west coast - it's not north to Canadians.

@solexxx8588 Жыл бұрын

If you have ever traveled to remote places in Canada you probably have flown in a Beaver. They are the best workhorse floatplane on the planet. I hope they continue to convert them to electric.

@gordontataryn6026 Жыл бұрын

That was great,thanks 😃✌

@Wilem35 10 ай бұрын

Good job, keep moving forward.

@ChristianBehnke Жыл бұрын

Oooh - excited that there will be a show(?) in Vancouver in 2023!

@matejorsag6515 Жыл бұрын

What a beautiful adorable presenter and an interesting topic! Thanks 👍

@tewkesburyupdate893 Жыл бұрын

Great stuff! I have flown all over the world in big and little planes, liked the little ones the most, and occasonally fantasise about owning a seaplane. Now I know they can be electrified and retain all that is beautiful and elegant about them, I am going to have to buy more lottery tickets. Thanks for this, nicely done.

@JakobKsGarage Жыл бұрын

Oh boy could we use one around here! Copenhagen inner city has a one seaplane terminal, which is used by a 1978 De Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter, with two giant turboprops. And the smoke and noise is immense! Yes, it is cool to se the short take off and landing right beside you between the ships, but I sure would love less smoke and noise. It's usual route is 160 km / 100 miles, so it could be done in an electric plane I think.

@3crowsfarm16 Жыл бұрын

So cool Can't wait!

@krischi8324 Жыл бұрын

Very nicely done!

@benpaynter Жыл бұрын

Great project and interesting video

@admiralmarciniak1035 Жыл бұрын

Love the aviation info

@DougGrinbergs Жыл бұрын

Finally seeing activity in the superfast CharIn Megawatt Charging Standard MCS

@petestan Жыл бұрын

Excellent episode

@peterad1529 Жыл бұрын

Pretty cool project I like that they know there are limitations but they can work with them and still make the concept work for their purposes. Yeah we’re going to fly hours and hours but it’s an awesome concept for short trips!

@doctorlovera Жыл бұрын

The next decades will be so exciting for aviation. (I still think future is trains, but aviation will be always necesary) BTW. Listening to Imogen is pure joy. Maybe the accent. She could be announcing my death sentence and I think I would still smile. Greetings from Colombia

@ChadOhman92 Жыл бұрын

The moment Harbour Air can service Vancouver to Victoria on an electric plane I will be booking copiously. I'll hinge my visit to my aunt and uncle in Victoria on this!

@alexgray1905 Жыл бұрын

Great video, great news!

@davidabineri908 Жыл бұрын

Lots of walking around the outside of the plane. How about a look at the inside and the batteries and even a flight in an almost vibration free plane!

@andymccabe6712 Жыл бұрын

It's just like flying in the engine version of the plane - but less noisy.......a bit like a glider, I expect!! Not difficult to imagine.....

@gormauslander Жыл бұрын

It won't be like a glider, as at least half the noise of a plane is the props beating the air.

@floatymcboat2885 Жыл бұрын

... not sure a glider has props

@vidznstuff1 Жыл бұрын

Some gliders have props to get them off the ground

@brianb-p6586 Жыл бұрын

@@floatymcboat2885 That's the point: the noise in this aircraft is not like that in a glider, because this aircraft will have substantial prop noise. The prop noise is apparent in videos of its first flight, last year.

@gordonriley4297 Жыл бұрын

Always entertaining, informative, leading the field and with the Fully Charged 'je ne sais quoi'.

@eugeniustheodidactus8890 Жыл бұрын

*Beautiful airplane! Well done!*

@Noukz37 Жыл бұрын

I must say that Imogen is B-E-A-utiful! 😍

@TastierBackInThe80s Жыл бұрын

Using a DeHavilland Beaver as a platform to test electric flight is very fitting. They just keep on keeping on. No better aircraft.

@GurtTarctor Жыл бұрын

More electric aviation please!

@nicdensley4104 Жыл бұрын

Love this, the future is going to be good.

@yips_way Жыл бұрын

Enjoyed this video.

@richardfoster2021 Жыл бұрын

WO !!! Love it Thinking Out side of the box well done

@Jhossack Жыл бұрын

Canada was opened, by the small plane, since they were invented. Wop May, that’s a read. Thanks for showing this.

@JoeHamelin Жыл бұрын

Congrats Magnix from Safran Cabin in Marysville. Can't wait to see Alice fly out of MWH.

@briantarby675 Жыл бұрын

That's so cool 😎

@chrisking7603 Жыл бұрын

I'd love to hear more about the developments with ammonia as fuel for (adapted) turbo-prop engines. More energy per volume than LiIon batteries, but less efficient, but weight decreases over flight, so maybe more efficient...

@Dino.808 Жыл бұрын

What a great time to be an engineer. I wish I had paid more attention to my science lessons at school. 😄

@jkuartei Жыл бұрын

cool piece. unique content

@FlyingFun. Жыл бұрын

Brilliant to see, I've been flying rc planes for 40 years and moving to electric was a godsend. Battery tech will get better and motors more efficient , that doesn't happen on it's own though, people actually need to DO it.

@kennedysingh3916 Жыл бұрын

Watched from Old Harbour Jamaica

@mrmawson2438 Жыл бұрын

Great video 👌

@learnprogress6618 Жыл бұрын

Well done

@jdan5807 Жыл бұрын

Love it, I wish you showed the setup under the hood

@johnevans6399 Жыл бұрын

Good to see the advert at the beginning encouraging people to travel thousands of miles to 'save the planet'!!

@user-ie4tt1xp7j 7 ай бұрын

Nice beaver.

@markifi Жыл бұрын

it's quite a nice looking thing

@mattb8734 Жыл бұрын

Interesting love this

@leooconnor1820 Жыл бұрын

I would love to see cost of it, projected cost of the next, fuel cost comparisons, battery sizes.

@michaelnuss1926 Жыл бұрын

Excellent presentation Imogen. Very slick production values too. I'm here in Vancouver and want to help. Please reply about how we might be able to meet. Thanks a lot.

@jeangreenfield5993 Жыл бұрын

Great film 💚 🚁 🛩 🚁

@johnknight9150 Жыл бұрын

I wonder if sea planes and rivers might actually lead to an increase in domestic flights if electrification becomes industry standard and local governments make greater use of their water ways.

@aussie2uGA Жыл бұрын

I just cant be the only one so excited for more electrified beavers?

@TheStuartstardust Жыл бұрын

Tow start to save energy on takeoff - but perhaps easier on land. Also what is the change in noise levels? Must be much more silent - both from outside and inside the plane. 🤔🤓

@RWBHere Жыл бұрын

Ahh! The good old de Havilland Beaver. When will they convert the Twin Otter to electricity? For that matter, how about the venerable Piper Cub? That would also be really interesting. . . Now, off to watch the video. Thanks all! 🙂👍

@brianb-p6586 Жыл бұрын

I asked Viking (owner of all de Havilland Canada aircraft types) if they were involved this project, and they said that the were not... but they have their own plans. I suspect that Viking's plans are for the DHC-6 Twin Otter, but they are not saying anything yet.