Newest Development Offers A Distributed Electric Propulsion System With In-Wing Propellers

Chip Erwin of Aeromarine LSA brought their new Merlin Lite LSA to the 2021 Deland Sport Aviation Showcase and showed Aero-News Editor-in-Chief Jim Campbell the interesting directions they've taken their single seater sportplane.

"In aviation, the price goes up with the number of seats," said Erwin. "You can get a 120 mph, all aluminum, fully painted, EFIS-equipped, ADS-B in and out, transponder, electric trim - all of that for $52,000. It would be 3 times more, if you had that second seat!"  Faced with factory stoppages for their off-the-shelf engines, Aeromarine began work on their own 60 hp, 4-stroke V-twin.

Erwin also brought their newest project in the works: a distributed electric propulsion system with in-wing propellers. In current form, the system has enough battery power for 30 minutes of flight, best used for brief spurts of extra thrust. The system shines with an added boost on takeoff to shorten the roll, or to buy some extra time in the pattern after an engine failure. When not in use, the propellers even index to align themselves inside the wing for zero drag in flight.

Aside from the performance benefit, the system provides enhanced safety with active envelope protection, engaging when they sense low-speed, uncoordinated flight, preventing a stall before it occurs.

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