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Zell am Moss (A) Following the AERO International Air Show in Friedrichshafen (DE) and at the Aerospace Symposium in St. Gallen (CH), XAEROS AvioPower has now also presented the “XAEROS Hybrid Aviation Engine” project at ILA Berlin. It is not just a revolutionary aircraft engine, but a unique integrated hybrid system that will make flying safer, quieter and environmentally friendly.

Hans Schwöller, an accomplished engineer and successful entrepreneur from Straßwalchen (AT), has been working for several years on the unique project, which is now so mature that detailed development has begun with investor support and serial production will begin in the next 4 years target.

The XAEROS Hybrid 200 integrates an electric motor and two independently operating piston engines into a highly compact, fully integrated unit with system power of 200 kW / 270 hp. This standalone unit also includes all operating components as well as the drive battery.

Aircraft equipped with the optional XAEROS Hybrid system can be operated completely silently at the airport by wheel drive. A great advantage lies in the safe operation of the airport without a working fan. The acceleration on the slope is also silent with the electrically operated wheels.

The electric-powered propeller operates only on takeoff, causing the aircraft to very quietly sail at altitude and drive it electrically until it leaves the airport area. This reduces noise pollution to airport residents to a minimum.

After leaving the airport area, the pilot switches to two independently operating piston engines for the sailing flight, which will be powered by synthetic fuels, so-called eFuels, in the future. E-fuel is made from carbon dioxide from air, water, and solar or wind energy and emits exactly the same amount of carbon dioxide during aircraft operation as it was previously absorbed during fuel production. This means that CO2 neutral operation is also possible when cruising. E-fuels are easy to transport and can be produced inexpensively around the world where solar and wind energy are available.

XAEROS’ unique hybrid solution provides safety in a redundant flight while fully maintaining normal ranges and flight performance. “The twin engine delivers huge gains in safety,” Hans Schwöller says. “In the event of an engine failure, you can continue to fly safely and easily at half the power.” When cruising, the battery is recharged so that it can be approached and landed very quietly, purely electrically.

During several years of work, Hans Schöller, together with his son Johannes, was able to combine all three drives including all components into one highly compact drive unit. Since the electric motor is only used for take-off and landing, the battery can be kept very small. It is also integrated into the autonomous drive unit. The combined unit supplies twice the electricity to the aircraft as well as ventilation, heating and air conditioning for the cockpit if desired. “This is also unique to aircraft engines,” says Hans Schuller.

Despite the presence of three separate drives and the integration of all components, the width of the propulsion system does not exceed 50 cm and is narrower than a conventional “bare” 80-horsepower aircraft engine. The XAEROS Hybrid engine delivers impressive fan system performance of 200 kW / 270 hp. This concept was patented years ago. “In the meantime, the most important patents have already been granted in the EU, USA and China. Other patents are in the pipeline,” Hans Schuler reports.

Hans Schuler, Managing Director of XAEROS AvioPower GmbH based in Zell am Moos, is now looking for investors for detailed implementation. Previous presentations as well as the following ones, such as ILA Berlin and AIRTEC Munich, are working to present the project to the public and find investors. The site for development and serial production is determined in consultation with investors. In the next four years, detailed development is planned until the maturity of the series and the start of series production. In addition to investors, funding will be raised through subsidies and mass crowdfunding.

“With XAEROS, we are launching a new generation of general aviation propulsion systems. The response at AERO and at St. Gallen has gone beyond anything imaginable,” reports Hans Schwöller, who wants to start the project as soon as possible.

“Obviously, we really hit the nail in the head for this project,” Hans Schwöller says. Johannes Schöller, son of the CEO, has completed his training at the Technical University of Munich in mechanical engineering, carbon technology and part aerospace engineering and is aboard XAEROS.

“The presentations were well received not only by pilots and aircraft manufacturers, but also by aircraft engine experts and aviation authorities. The concept presented has been consistently emphasized as forward-looking and complete,” says Hans Schuler. The propulsion system is a stand-alone unit that fits into virtually every new aircraft and in tens of thousands of existing aircraft that will be converted in the shortest possible time using a conversion kit and approved documentation. Due to its special hybrid cooling, it can also be used for light helicopters and drones and as a redundant power supply for air taxis and eVTOL aircraft to significantly increase range. In various component variants, the engine will also be used for lightweight aircraft, experimental and amateur construction aircraft. In the USA it also covers the large LSA (Light Sport Aircraft) group.

Technical information
hybrid system
High-performance 74 kW / 100 hp axial flow electric motor (optional 110 kW / 150 hp) (air-cooled, integrated inverter)
Two 4-stroke V2 piston engines, 2x 742 cm, 2x 63 kW / 85 hp
Engine power 200 kW / 270 hp
traction battery
2.4 kWh (standard), adaptive depending on the aircraft, ranges from hangar to exit from the airport area at cruising altitude + reserve
transition
2x Carbon Toothed Belt Transmission (Free Maintenance Over 5000 Hours)
fan speed
2100 rpm max, 1,920 rpm cruise, so it’s very quiet!
Dimensions
W x H x L 500 x 510 x 790 mm
Weight
Total system including built-in motor battery 120kg
Connecting
Scheme not approved in 4 years, certified from the fifth year

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Operation XAEROS – Hybrid

Xaeros AvioPower GmbH