Development of Electric Piper Archer Underway

Piper Aircraft, a leading manufacturer of general aviation aircraft, has partnered with CAE, a technology company that provides tools and training for pilots, to develop an electric conversion kit for the Piper Archer, a popular and versatile trainer aircraft. The goal of this collaboration is to reduce carbon emissions and noise levels in flight training by transitioning to electric propulsion.

As the transportation industry is a significant contributor to global CO2 emissions, many innovators in the aviation industry are looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment. In 2019, the aviation industry was responsible for 2.8% of global emissions, which would rank it as the sixth-highest emitting country in the world. This highlights the urgent need for alternative solutions to fossil fuel-powered aircraft.

The electric conversion kit will feature Safran’s new ENGINeUS electric motor and H55 will provide the battery system. H55 is a Swiss company that has extensive experience in electric flight, including the technology used for the Solar Impulse, a solar-powered aircraft that completed a round-the-world flight in 2016.

CAE, which is a pilot training provider, will convert two-thirds of its Piper Archer training fleet with the new kits and develop a curriculum for new pilots to train on the operation of electric aircraft. This is an important skill set for students to develop as the world is shifting towards green transportation solutions.

The development of the electric conversion kit is part of Project Resilience, a C$1 billion investment by CAE over five years in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec to develop “technologies of the future”.

The Piper Archer is a popular choice for flight training and professional pilot training programs, with 28,000 aircraft in global service. This makes it the ideal platform for the creation of an electric conversion kit, as it allows flight schools to transition to electric aircraft without having to replace their existing fleets.

In conclusion, Piper Aircraft and CAE's collaboration on the development of an electric conversion kit for the Piper Archer is an important step towards a greener future for the aviation industry. It not only reduces the carbon footprint of flight training but also trains the next generation of pilots on the operation of electric aircraft, a valuable skill for the industry to move forward with.