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- Schempp-Hirth Discus-2c FES vs Beta Alia CX300
Schempp-Hirth Discus-2c FES vs Beta Alia CX300
Overview Electric Flying Vehicle
|
Model
|
Schempp-Hirth Discus-2c FES
Alia CX300 |
|
Manufacturer
|
Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH
Beta Technologies |
|
Announced
|
2010
March 2023 |
|
launched
|
2010
First production flight – November 2024 |
Electric Flying Vehicle Dimensions & Build
|
Aircraft Type
|
Single-seat electric-sustainer glider
All-electric conventional take-off and landing (eCTOL) fixed-wing aircraft |
|
Length
|
6.83 m
|
|
Wingspan / Rotor Diameter
|
18 m
50 ft (≈ 15–16 m) |
|
Height
|
1.3 m
|
|
Empty Weight
|
315–330 kg
|
|
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)
|
600 kg
< 7,000 lb (≈ 3,175 kg) |
|
Passenger Capacity
|
1
Up to 5 passengers + 1 pilot (6 total) |
|
Cargo Capacity
|
Minimal
200 cubic ft (≈ 5.7 m³) |
|
Landing Gear Type
|
Retractable single main wheel with tailwheel
Tricycle gear (standard runway operations) |
Power & Propulsion
|
Battery Type
|
Lithium-Polymer
Lithium-ion battery pack |
|
Battery Capacity
|
2.2 kWh total (2 packs of ~1.1 kWh)
|
|
Battery Brand
|
LZ Design
|
|
Charging Input Voltage
|
230 V AC
|
|
Charging Power
|
1 kW
250–300 kW (fast charge est.) |
|
Charging Time
|
3–5 hours
30–40 minutes (fast) |
|
Solar / Hybrid Assist
|
None
|
|
Motor
|
LZ Design FES electric sustainer
Single rear pusher electric motor |
|
Total Power Output
|
22–25 kW peak
427 kW (~572 HP) |
|
Propulsion System
|
Nose-mounted folding electric propeller
Single pusher propeller (direct drive) |
|
transmission
|
Direct drive
Direct electric drive (no gearbox) |
Electric Flying Vehicle Performance
|
Cruising speed
|
100–140 km/h
105 knots (≈ 120 mph / 193 km/h) |
|
Top Speed
|
250 km/h
135 knots (≈ 155 mph / 250 km/h) |
|
Maximum Range
|
70–80 km
Up to 386 miles (≈ 621 km) |
|
Endurance (Flight Time)
|
30–45 minutes
1 hour + reserve |
|
Climb Rate
|
1 m/s
1,500 ft/min |
|
Service Ceiling (Max Altitude)
|
5,000 m (soaring)
|
|
Takeoff / Landing Type
|
FES not for takeoff
Conventional runway (CTOL) |
|
Noise Level (dB)
|
60–65 dB
Extremely low (~ < 60 dB estimated) |
|
Flight Modes
|
Soaring mode, FES assist mode
Standard manual and assisted cruise modes |
Safety & Systems
|
Avionics
|
LXNAV (S80/S100/GPS) Vario FLARM collision-avoidance
Garmin G3000 suite |
|
Flight Control
|
Fully manual controls; full-span flaperons
Fly-by-wire redundant controls |
|
Safety Features
|
FLARM
Crash-optimized cockpit
Optional ballistic parachute
Simplified electric propulsion (fewer moving parts), low noise operation, redundant systems |
|
Emergency Landing System
|
None; standard glider procedures
|
|
Certifications
|
EASA sailplane certification
FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate (2024); full type certification expected 2025-26 |
Interior & Comfort
|
Seating Layout
|
Single seat
2 front (crew) + up to 4 passengers |
|
Cabin Type
|
Enclosed cockpit with panoramic canopy
Modular (cargo or passenger layout) |
|
Infotainment & Displays
|
Digital glide computer (LXNAV)
Dual Garmin G3000 cockpit displays |
|
Storage Compartments
|
Small rear stowage; oxygen area
Rear cargo bay (~ 200 cu ft) |
|
Other Features
|
Adjustable pedals, ventilation, optional oxygen
Low operating cost (~ $7 per 45-min flight), quiet electric operation |
Capacities
|
Passenger Capacity
|
1
Up to 6 (5 + pilot) |
|
Payload Capacity
|
120 kg (pilot + small items)
1,000 – 1,400 lb (≈ 450 – 635 kg) |
|
Cargo Capacity
|
Minimal
200 cu ft (≈ 5.7 m³) |
Disclaimer Note
We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct
