Zunum planning fleet of hybrid-electric planes


Seattle-based startup Zunum Aero, backed by aviation giants Boeing and JetBlue, is aiming to reshape regional air travel with its ZA10 – the first in a series of planned hybrid-electric commuter aircraft


ZUNUM AERO ZA10
Cockpit
One or two pilots

Orders: JetSuite to buy up to 100 aircraft

Cabin: Seating for 12 passengers in economy class configuration, or nine premium, or six executive

PROPULSION SYSTEM Integrated control platform Determines optimal energy usage plan for each flight and manages battery power

Battery packs: Can be quickly swapped out at airports instead of waiting to be recharged

Hybrid powertrain Safran Ardiden 3Z turbine engine powers integrated turbo-generator, delivering 500kW of electrical power to supplement battery packs during key stages of flight and over long ranges

Operating costs: Zunum targeting $250 per hour – 60-80 percent lower than comparable conventional aircraft

ZA10 SPECIFICATIONS
Length      12.8m
Wingspan    15.9m 
Max cruise  547km/h
Range       More than 1,127km
Altitude    7,620m


Fuel tank: 363kg capacity

Electric propulsors
Promise 40 percent reduction in runway needs and 75 percent lower noise compared to traditional regional aircraft. Carbon emissions could be cut
by up to 80 percent


Sources: Zunum Aero, Safran SA, Reuters   © GRAPHIC NEWS