Energy futureWorld’s first battery-operated manned airplane

A milestone in aeronautics history: Oxyride dry cell batteries from Matsushita Electric Industrial, a division of Panasonic, successfully flew a manned airplane. Matsushita and the Tokyo Institute of Technology (TIT) have been working on the Oxyride Dry Cell Manned Flight Project since January this year. On 16 July the airplane, powered by 160 AA-size Oxyride dry cell batteries, flew a distance of 391.4 meters at an altitude of 5.2 meters at Okegawa Airport in Saitama Prefecture north of Tokyo. The one-seat airplane, weighing 54 kg with a wingspan of 31 meters and piloted by a TIT student weighing 53 kg, was in the air for 59 seconds. The Oxyride flight covered a distance longer than 259 meters recorded by the Wright Brothers for the first manned, sustained flight powered by a gasoline engine back in 1903. The Oxyride flight time of 59 is identical to the 59-second Wright Brothers’ flight time.

The flight took place in front of officials of the Japan Aeronautic Association (JAA) to make it an official record, following the rules set by the JAA. They will further seek official recognition from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) as the world’s first manned flight on dry cell batteries.

Panasonic Oxyride battery itself represents breakthroughs in materials and manufacturing technology. The battery uses oxyhydroxide which releases a higher initial voltage than traditional alkaline batteries, at the same time that the company’s proprietary vacuum-pouring technology allows a higher quantity of electrolytes to be inserted into the battery. The Oxyride battery thus provides more power and longer-lasting energy.

If you happen to be in Tokyo in the coming weeks: The world’s first battery-powered airplane will be on display at JR Tokyo Station from 31 July to 6 August and at the National Science Museum in Tokyo from 15 September to 24 September.