It’s the big day for team CELLSIUS. Suspenseful looks to the runway follow the battery-powered airplane, as it accelerates to take off for the very first time.
Launch Into the Future of Sustainable Air Travel
Simon Jutzi, 6 October 2022
The e-sling takes off for the first time. Photo credit: Marc Bührer
Speeches from several team members and sponsors. Photo credit: Marc Bührer
Proud team in front of their accomplishment. Photo credit: Marc Bührer
Team Members with the test pilot Damian Hischier. Photo credit: Marc Bührer
Lift-off!
For every student on the two teams that have worked on the development of the airplane, this moment makes the countless hours all worth it. They are all Bachelors Students in mechanical or electrical engineering and together they took on the challenge to build an all-electric airplane. It's the most important and highly anticipated milestone: the battery powered airplane has successfully had its maiden flight. Us new members of CELLSIUS can’t unsee the proud looks on everyone’s faces.
For every student on the two teams that have worked on the development of the airplane, this moment makes the countless hours all worth it. They are all Bachelors Students in mechanical or electrical engineering and together they took on the challenge to build an all-electric airplane. It's the most important and highly anticipated milestone: the battery powered airplane has successfully had its maiden flight. Us new members of CELLSIUS can’t unsee the proud looks on everyone’s faces.
The new team discussing their ideas. Photo credit: Marc Bührer
When the curtain fell, it was all eyes on the e-Sling. Photo credit: Marc Bührer
e-Sling in the spotlight. Photo credit: Marc Bührer
The Curtain Falls
Shortly after the successful maiden flight of the “e-Sling”, we have a big celebration event. Listening to the former focus project students presenting their story of the battery-powered airplane, that started with nothing but an ambitious idea, gave an impressive insight into what they had accomplished and experienced in the past two years. In a worthy occasion, we could finally unveil the freshly airborne “e-Sling” to the public. Together with 500 participants, everyone got to celebrate this long-awaited accomplishment.
Shortly after the successful maiden flight of the “e-Sling”, we have a big celebration event. Listening to the former focus project students presenting their story of the battery-powered airplane, that started with nothing but an ambitious idea, gave an impressive insight into what they had accomplished and experienced in the past two years. In a worthy occasion, we could finally unveil the freshly airborne “e-Sling” to the public. Together with 500 participants, everyone got to celebrate this long-awaited accomplishment.
Musical backdrop at the event. Photo credit: Marc Bührer
Pizza-Time! Photo credit: Marc Bührer
The first flight could be experienced in virtual reality. Photo credit: Marc Bührer
Showing What’s Possible
At CELLSIUS we are actively working on innovative ideas for a sustainable future. Especially in the aviation sector, we see big potential for change. With project “e-Sling” two teams of Bachelor students were able to show a direction, in which aviation could be heading. By continuing our commitment, we want to show that ideas can become reality, just like project “e-Sling” did.
The Start of a New Chapter
While the first flight of the e-sling undoubtedly marks the highlight of CELLSIUS quest towards sustainable air travel, it is also the lift-off for a new project. The focus project of us new students continue the dream of sustainable air travel with a new ambitious goal: to fly with the power of hydrogen. Contemporaneous with the assembly of the airplane, three students already began with the development of a working hydrogen fuel cell system. With their knowledge and experience, our goal is to refine this system and power a new airplane with it. In hydrogen we see the potential to increase the range of electric airplanes, while drastically decreasing the refuelling time.
Motivated by the success of our previous teams, we are proud to follow in their footsteps and continue the journey of sustainable air travel.
At CELLSIUS we are actively working on innovative ideas for a sustainable future. Especially in the aviation sector, we see big potential for change. With project “e-Sling” two teams of Bachelor students were able to show a direction, in which aviation could be heading. By continuing our commitment, we want to show that ideas can become reality, just like project “e-Sling” did.
The Start of a New Chapter
While the first flight of the e-sling undoubtedly marks the highlight of CELLSIUS quest towards sustainable air travel, it is also the lift-off for a new project. The focus project of us new students continue the dream of sustainable air travel with a new ambitious goal: to fly with the power of hydrogen. Contemporaneous with the assembly of the airplane, three students already began with the development of a working hydrogen fuel cell system. With their knowledge and experience, our goal is to refine this system and power a new airplane with it. In hydrogen we see the potential to increase the range of electric airplanes, while drastically decreasing the refuelling time.
Motivated by the success of our previous teams, we are proud to follow in their footsteps and continue the journey of sustainable air travel.
About the Author
Simon Jutzi
Simon Jutzi is a Bachelor’s student in electrical engineering at ETH Zurich. At CELLSIUS he is responsible for Inverter and DC/DC converter.