Electravia
{{Short description|French aerospace manufacturer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Electravia Hélices E-Props
| logo = File:Electravia - Helices E-Props logo 2021.jpg
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| foundation = Sept 2008
| founder = Anne Lavrand
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| location_country = France
| location = Vaumeilh
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| key_people = Christian Vandamme, Jérémie Buiatti
| industry = Aerospace
| products = Carbon propellers for aviation
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| num_employees = 40 (September 2021){{cite web |title=DECOUVERTE : Electravia, une success story haut-alpine |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/bfm-dici/replay-emissions/hors-series/decouverte-electravia-une-success-story-haut-alpine_VN-202109130144.html |language=fr}}
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| homepage = {{URL|https://www.e-props.fr}}
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Electravia - Helices E-Props is a French aviation manufacturer based in Vaumeilh, specializing in the non-certified light aviation sector.{{Cite web|title=E-props|url=https://aircraft.e-props.fr/privacy.php?osCsid=dac2c5bb9a5cfbc7ab0ddba3175776f7|access-date=2022-01-05|website=E-props|language=fr}} At one time it produced electric propulsion systems and now designs and manufactures carbon fibre propellers for light aircraft.{{cite web|title=Electravia|url=http://www.electravia.fr/ElecEng.php|access-date=4 Jan 2011}}
History
File:Electra BL1E.JPG F-PMDJ: the first registered electric aircraft in the world. First flight December 2007]]
File:Cri-Cri electric.png during world speed record in Pontoise]]
The company was originally organized as an association called APAME to build and fly electric aircraft. It first flew its BL1E Electra on Sunday, 23 December 2007 at Aspres sur Buech airfield, Hautes Alpes, France. Test pilot Christian Vandamme flew the electric-powered, open-cockpit, strut-equipped airplane for 48 minutes, covering {{convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The BL1E Electra is powered by an {{cvt|18|kW|hp}} disk-brushed electric engine driven by a {{cvt|47|kg}} KOKAM Lithium polymer battery.{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/APAMEAnnouncesElectricFlight_196847-1.html|title = APAME Announces Electric Flight|access-date = 2008-01-20|last = Pew|first = Glenn|author-link = |date=December 2007}}{{cite web|url=http://www.apame.eu/AA%20Projects.html |title=Worldwide premiere: first aircraft flight with electrical engine |access-date=2008-01-20 |last=APAME |author-link= |date=December 2007 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110092518/http://www.apame.eu/AA%20Projects.html |archive-date=January 10, 2008 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.aero-blog.com/Aviation%20propre-53/premiere-mondiale-un-moteur-electrique-fait-voler-un-avion-leger-479.html |title=Première Mondiale: Un moteur électrique fait voler un avion léger publié sur Aero blog |access-date=2013-02-25 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227103046/http://www.aero-blog.com/Aviation%20propre-53/premiere-mondiale-un-moteur-electrique-fait-voler-un-avion-leger-479.html |archive-date=2009-02-27}} The BL1E Electra was the first registered aircraft in the world powered by an electric motor running on batteries.{{Cite web|url=http://www.electravia.fr/DOCUMENTS/Presse_Prototypes/TheTimes030108.jpg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601111600/http://www.electravia.fr/DOCUMENTS/Presse_Prototypes/TheTimes030108.jpg|title=Air Travel Switches to Electricity|website=e-props.fr|archive-date= 1 June 2013|url-status= dead}}
The company was founded on 19 September 2008 by Anne Lavrand, Jérémie Buiatti and Christian Vandamme. At the time of its founding it mainly produced electric motors for light aircraft.{{cite web |title=VAUMEILH. Electravia - Hélices E-Props s'apprête à embaucher |url=https://www.ledauphine.com/haute-provence/2018/10/02/electravia-helices-e-props-s-apprete-a-embaucher |website=www.ledauphine.com |language=FR-fr}}
Starting in 2008, Electravia began designing and manufacturing carbon fibre aircraft propellers, including fixed pitch, ground-adjustable pitch and variable pitch models. Propellers for paramotors, ultralights, light aircraft and UAV are made in the {{cvt|1,700|m2}} workshop on Sisteron's airfield (LFNS). E-Props propellers claim to be the lightest on the market.{{cite web|url=http://www.aerobuzz.fr/spip.php?breve2643|title=Hélices E-Props : sortie de la 1000ème pale carbone pour ULM|work=aerobuzz.fr|access-date=18 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019155531/http://www.aerobuzz.fr/spip.php?breve2643|archive-date=19 October 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pilotesmag.com/Pilotermag/Le_Blog/Entrees/2013/10/18_1.000_PALES_CARBONE_POUR_E-PROPS.html|title=Altipresse|work=pilotesmag.com|access-date=18 February 2016}}
On 5 September 2010, pilot Hugues Duval established a world speed record for electric aircraft with his twin engined MC15E Cri-Cri E-Cristaline, equipped with Electravia engines, controllers, batteries and propellers. During the Pontoise Air show, a top speed of {{cvt|262|km/h|mph kn}} was recorded by Aero Club de France organizers. Then, on 25 June 2011, during the official flight presentation at 2011 Paris Air Show (Salon du Bourget), Duval established a new world record of {{cvt|283|km/h}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.eaa.org/news/2011/2011-06-27_cri-cri.asp |title=Electric Cri-Cri Breaks Own World Electric Speed Record |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226092438/http://eaa.org/news/2011/2011-06-27_cri-cri.asp |archive-date=2013-02-26}}
In 2011 the E-FENIX became the first 100% electric two-seater paramotor.{{cite web |title=SISTERON (ALPES DE HAUTE-PROVENCE). Premier vol d'un paramoteur biplace 100 % électrique pour Electravia |url=https://www.ledauphine.com/hautes-alpes/2011/05/15/nouvelle-premiere-mondiale-pour-electravia |website=www.ledauphine.com |language=FR-fr}}
In 2012 the E-SPIDER was shown at the Mondial of Paramotors in Basse-Ham. It was the first two-seater electric paramotor capable of being foot-launched.{{cite web |title=Le paramoteur électrique E-Spider d'Electravia en vedette à Basse-Ham - AéroBuzz : Actualité et Information Aéronautique |url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aerobuzz.fr%2Fspip.php%3Farticle2780#federation=archive.wikiwix.com |website=archive.wikiwix.com}}
By the beginning of 2014, about 70 aircraft had been equipped with Electravia propulsion systems, including the ElectroLight2 electric motorglider, based on the Scheibe Spatz{{cite web|title=ElectroLight2 : Going Vintage Electrically |url=http://blog.cafefoundation.org/?p=5043}}{{cite web|title=EAA NEWS ElectroLight2 Helps Vintage Gliders Motor Aloft |url=http://www.eaa.org/news/2012/2012-01-12_electrolight2.asp |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301001053/http://www.eaa.org/news/2012/2012-01-12_electrolight2.asp |archive-date=2012-03-01}}{{cite web |title=Electravia fait décoller le motoplaneur électrique ElectroLight 2 - AéroBuzz : Actualité et Information Aéronautique |url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aerobuzz.fr%2Fspip.php%3Farticle2347#federation=archive.wikiwix.com |website=archive.wikiwix.com}}{{cite web |title=Premier tests du motoplaneur électrique Electravia ElectroLight2 |url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.technologicvehicles.com%2Ffr%2Factualite-mobilite-verte%2F1463%2Fpremier-tests-du-motoplaneur-electrique-elect#federation=archive.wikiwix.com |website=www.technologicvehicles.com}} and the MC30E Firefly, with which Pilot Jean-Louis Soullier set a speed record of {{convert|189.87|km/h|mph|2|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|title=Electric MC30E Firefy Flies With New Motor |url=http://www.eaa.org/news/2011/2011-08-10_firefly.asp |access-date=10 August 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217064903/http://eaa.org/news/2011/2011-08-10_firefly.asp |archive-date=17 December 2011}}{{cite web|title=Electric aircraft: first flight of the MC30E "Luciole" powered by ELECTRAVIA |url=http://www.technologicvehicles.com/en/green-transportation-news/1085/video-electric-aircraft-first-flight-of-the-m}}{{cite web|title=New FAI Records for Electric Flight |url=http://blog.cafefoundation.org/?p=5334}}{{cite web |title=GAP. Tentative de record: New York/Paris à l'électricité |url=https://www.ledauphine.com/hautes-alpes/2014/03/06/new-york-paris-a-l-electricite |website=www.ledauphine.com |language=FR-fr}}
By 2014 the company was producing a range of electric aircraft engines, including the Electravia GMPE 102, Electravia GMPE 104 and the Electravia GMPE 205.Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, pages 262-263. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. {{ISSN|1368-485X}}
Electravia also produced a number of electric-powered ultralight trike designs, including the Electravia Electro Trike and the Electravia Monotrace-E, which was based on the AEF Monotrace.
In 2014, the company decided to stop making electric motors to focus on the design of carbon fibre propellers.
On 9 July 2015, the electric MC15E CriCri E-Cristaline became the first electric aircraft to cross the English Channel.{{cite web |title=H. Duval réussit la première traversée de la Manche en avion électrique |url=https://www.aerobuzz.fr/breves-aviation-generale/h-duval-reussit-la-premiere/ |website=Aerobuzz |language=fr-FR |date=10 July 2015}}{{cite web |title=La Manche en avion électrique – aeroVFR |url=http://www.aerovfr.com/2015/07/la-manche-en-avion-electrique/ |website=www.aerovfr.com}}
By 2019, the propeller market for paramotors represented 40% of the company's sales. The company sold 4,500 models in over 80 countries.{{cite web |title=Electravia E-Props, expert des hélices légères |url=https://region-sud.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/2019-11-15/electravia-e-props-expert-des-helices-legeres-833199.html |website=La Tribune |language=fr |date=15 November 2019}}
Originally E-Props propeller usage was restricted to visual flight rules conditions by the manufacturer, but this restriction was rescinded in a new edition of the Instruction and Service Manual issued in 2020. This edition replaced the earlier limitation with a warning stating "E-PROPS propellers are not 'certified' propellers: they are not compliant with aeronautical standard as AESA or FAA. However, they are compliant with the ASTM F2506-13 (LSA). Their use is the sole responsibility of the owner / pilot of the aircraft. The user admits knowing and accepting the risks of using such propellers, and admits knowing that his engine could stop abruptly."{{cite web|url=https://aircraft.e-props.fr/DOCS/HEP-ROTAX9-2019-02-18-EN.pdf|title=E-Props Instruction and Service Manual|access-date=10 July 2019|author= Helices E-Props|work= aircraft.e-props.fr|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190709220828/https://aircraft.e-props.fr/DOCS/HEP-ROTAX9-2019-02-18-EN.pdf|archive-date= 9 July 2019|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url= https://aircraft.e-props.fr/DOCS/HEP-ROTAX9-2020-02-15-EN.pdf|title= Instruction and Service Manual - Ground Adjustable Pitch Propellers for ROTAX engines serie 9|access-date= 3 March 2022|author= Helices E-Props|work= aircraft.e-props.fr|date= 15 February 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220303123054/https://aircraft.e-props.fr/DOCS/HEP-ROTAX9-2020-02-15-EN.pdf|archive-date= 3 March 2022|url-status= bot: unknown}}
By 2021, the company had 40 aeronautical engineers and technicians{{cite web |title=DECOUVERTE : Electravia, une success story haut-alpine |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/bfm-dici/replay-emissions/hors-series/decouverte-electravia-une-success-story-haut-alpine_VN-202109130144.html |website=BFMTV |language=fr}} and was producing 45,000 propeller blades per year{{cite web |title=ALPES-DE-HAUTE-PROVENCE. Vaumeilh : chez Electravia E-Props, on fabrique des hélices en carbone |url=https://www.ledauphine.com/economie/2019/10/24/vaumeilh-chez-electravia-e-props-on-fabrique-des-helices-en-carbone |website=www.ledauphine.com |language=FR-fr}} and had started work to certify its propellers and production methods to European Union Aviation Safety Agency standards (DOA / CS-P / PART 21G).{{cite web |title= Objectif certification EASA pour Hélices E-Props |url=https://www.aerobuzz.fr/breves-aviation-generale/objectif-certification-easa-pour-helices-e-props/?fbclid=IwAR2MzZ0-u_QM2IIUwPrRYT3OJtDzEsDjFhpYChrb7AfNu2_N1_S7sCoby4E |website=AEROBUZZ |language=fr|date=13 September 2022}}
As of 2022, E-Props propellers are fitted to 220 different light aircraft and microlight models and 150 brands of paramotors. The company works directly with 35 major aircraft and microlight manufacturers to design its products.{{cite web |title=E-props |url=https://aircraft.e-props.fr/privacy.php |website=E-props |language=en}} It exports 87% of its propeller production to 80 countries.{{cite web |title=Electravia, leader des hélices pour paramoteurs, construit une usine éco-responsable à Vaumeilh |url=https://www.tpbm-presse.com/electravia-leader-des-helices-pour-paramoteurs-construit-une-usine-eco-responsable-a-vaumeilh-53552.html |website=TPBM |language=FR |date=27 October 2021}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Electravia}}
- {{Official website|https://www.e-props.fr}}
Category:French companies established in 2008