Here are two sites I was reading:

www.metallicpower.com
www.electric-fuel.com

Both these companies are developing zinc-air fuel cells, which have 7
times the energy density of lead-acid batteries.

Could this technology be practical for powering an electric
airplane/helicopter/gyroplane?

Check out http://www.aviationtomorrow.com

Jim Dunn is leading an effort to develop a fuel-cell powered airplane.
I was involved in the project up until about a year ago. I don't what the
current status is.

"sanman" > wrote in message
om...
> Here are two sites I was reading:
>
> www.metallicpower.com
> www.electric-fuel.com
>
> Both these companies are developing zinc-air fuel cells, which have 7
> times the energy density of lead-acid batteries.
>
> Could this technology be practical for powering an electric
> airplane/helicopter/gyroplane?

sanman wrote:
> Here are two sites I was reading:
>
> www.metallicpower.com
> www.electric-fuel.com
>
> Both these companies are developing zinc-air fuel cells, which have 7
> times the energy density of lead-acid batteries.
>
> Could this technology be practical for powering an electric
> airplane/helicopter/gyroplane?

There's an electric self-launch glider out there now.

http://www.alisport.com/

Not sure what kind of batteries it uses.

nafod40 > writes:

>There's an electric self-launch glider out there now.

http://www.alisport.com/eu/eng/silent_b.htm
http://www.airenergy.de/english/silent/index.htm

>Not sure what kind of batteries it uses.

http://www.airenergy.de/english/silent/silent_data.htm
weight 40 kg
energy 1.4 kWh

http://www.airenergy.de/english/silent/silent_ostiv.htm
For reasons of cost and availability, NiCd technology was
chosen for the battery. NiCd offers the highest specific
performance at moderate costs and is available for everyone.
The temperature characteristic and rapid-charge capability
allow high start frequency without overheating of the battery.


http://www.alisport.com/video/AE1.mpg
http://www.alisport.com/video/Jet_Glider.wmv
I want one.

--kyler