Electric Aircraft Range Calculator

Breguet Range Equation (Electric):

\[ Range = \frac{Battery\ Energy \times Efficiency}{Weight \times g \times Drag\ Factor} \]

Battery Energy:

Efficiency:

Wh/km

Weight:

Drag Factor:

Estimated Range:

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1. What is the Breguet Range Equation for Electric Aircraft?

The Breguet range equation adapted for electric propulsion estimates the maximum range of an electric aircraft based on battery energy, efficiency, weight, and aerodynamic drag. This equation provides a fundamental understanding of electric aircraft performance limitations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Breguet range equation for electric aircraft:

\[ Range = \frac{Battery\ Energy \times Efficiency}{Weight \times g \times Drag\ Factor} \]

Where:

\( Battery\ Energy \) — Total energy capacity of the battery pack (Wh)
\( Efficiency \) — Energy consumption rate (Wh/km)
\( Weight \) — Total aircraft weight (kg)
\( g \) — Gravitational constant (9.81 m/s²)
\( Drag\ Factor \) — Aerodynamic drag coefficient

Explanation: The equation calculates range by dividing available energy by the energy required per unit distance, accounting for weight and aerodynamic efficiency.

3. Importance of Range Calculation

Details: Accurate range estimation is crucial for electric aircraft design, mission planning, battery sizing, and operational feasibility studies. It helps determine practical applications and limitations of electric aviation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter battery energy in watt-hours, efficiency in watt-hours per kilometer, weight in kilograms, and drag factor as a dimensionless coefficient. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical drag factor for electric aircraft?
A: Drag factors typically range from 0.02 to 0.08 depending on aircraft design, with modern electric aircraft achieving values around 0.03-0.05.

Q2: How does battery efficiency affect range?
A: Higher efficiency (lower Wh/km) directly increases range, as less energy is consumed per distance traveled.

Q3: What are typical efficiency values for electric aircraft?
A: Efficiency varies by design but typically ranges from 50-200 Wh/km for small electric aircraft and 200-500 Wh/km for larger models.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This provides a theoretical maximum range. Actual range may vary due to weather conditions, flight profile, and battery degradation.

Q5: Can this equation be used for hybrid-electric aircraft?
A: For hybrid systems, the equation needs modification to account for both battery energy and fuel energy contributions.