Piper Aircraft and aerospace company CAE overnight announced a partnership to develop a kit to convert in-service Piper Archers to electric power.
CAE will convert two-thirds of it's international Archer training fleet to electric power via supplemental type certificate (STC) using Safran's ENGINeUS 100 electric motor and Swiss company H55's aerospace battery packs.
“Piper Aircraft has been a longstanding trusted partner for our flight training operations, and we are very pleased to have them join us in this leap forward for the sustainable future of aviation.” said Marc Parent, CAE President and CEO.
“The development of this technology is a first for CAE. As an engineering powerhouse and one of the largest Piper Archer operators, CAE is uniquely positioned to make electric-powered flight a reality at our flight schools and beyond.
"CAE’s partnership with the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec for investment into R&D has enabled us to boldly look to the future and prepare our electric aircraft for take-off."
Piper and CAE said they will work together on the development of an electrical conversion kit for third parties, and intend to develop the training and support services required for operation.
"Piper Aircraft is excited to support CAE’s development of an electric aircraft modification conversion kit for the Piper Archer,” said Piper Aircraft President and CEO, John Calcagno.
“With 28,000 aircraft in global service, the PA-28 is the ideal platform for real world flight training curriculums and professional pilot training programs like CAE.
"Piper Aircraft is focused on aviation’s commitment to greenhouse gas reductions and as such, we look forward to collaborating with CAE on the integration of an electric propulsion system for the Piper Archer."
The electric conversion kit wil be developed as part of Project Resilience, through which CAE is investing $C1 billion over five years in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec.
CAE will draw on the expertise of Canada’s aerospace cluster and collaborate with OEMs, universities and research centres from across Quebec and Canada.