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This is a world first in Aix-en-Provence, which should inspire all aerodromes in the world. For the past year, thanks to a solar charging station, three small electric planes have been flying without making noise or polluting.
The propeller revolutions are almost the only noise, and again, it’s because it’s windy that day. Once in the sky, the flight is silent, the ride is smooth and the atmosphere rather zen. It is one of the three electric planes at the aerodrome of Aix, Les Milles (Bouches-du-Rhône). If the plane can fly today “It’s thanks to solar electric charging”describes Françoise Helmanndirector of development Electropostal. 150 square meters of photovoltaic panels have been installed over the past year, a world first.
Even the Americans don’t have the permits yet. The solar station is the first in France. If all goes well, in 2023 there will be eight. Thanks to the sun, the station directs the energy towards the planes or towards electric cars. On the tarmac, this technological prowess is the delight of a company that trains private pilots. Autonomy is 45 minutes in the air.