Ground Testing of an Electric Wheeled Propulsion System for a Light Aircraft

The article describes the concept and prototype of an electric wheeled drive system for a light aircraft. The propulsion system consists of two in-wheel electric motors attached to the aircraft's main landing gear legs. In the drive mode, the engines work and transmit driving torque using the principle of sliding friction, as in a car. The measurement system installed in a test aircraft equipped with the discussed propulsion system is presented. The results of the initial ground tests were also shown and discussed. It was found that the tested propulsion system operates very effectively at low speeds and can be useful for taxiing, hangaring and take-off support. The electric wheeled drive system of the aircraft is particularly appreciated when using grass airports.