Here we're learning how to remove and reinstall the battery packs in the wings. Power connector is at root end of battery string (bottom left of photo). It takes about 15 minutes to get to this stage.
From left to right:
Antares Mechanic Training
Many Antares gliders will be imported into North America in the next few years, and its important to have good service and support here. As with any maintenance, its one thing to read a service manual, but quite another thing to be familiar with the procedures from hands-on experience. With that in mind, 3 experienced motor-glider mechanics accompanied Dave Nadler to the Lange Flugzeugbau factory, in Zweibruecken Germany, for a 3-day training course in November 2006.
Here we're learning how to remove and reinstall the
battery packs in the wings. Power connector is at
root end of battery string (bottom left of photo).
It takes about 15 minutes to get to this stage.
From left to right:
| Andor Holtsmark | Engineer, Lange Flugzeugbau |
| Rex Mayes | Mechanic, Williams Soaring, Williams, California |
| Mike Robison | Mechanic, Ridge Soaring, Julian, Pennsylvania |
| Dave Nelson | Mechanic, Michigan |
| Hans-Jürgen Denzer | Technician, Lange Flugzuegbau |
The Antares 20E 20-meter Electric Self-Launch Motor-Glider is a bit different from other motorgliders ! No gasoline, a hydraulic system, and serious electrics.
In the above picture, we have pulled the battery pack out of an Antares 20E wing. We learned how to remove and re-install the battery packs from the wings, replace a 3-battery module, and replace a module controller. These batteries pack a whallop: 144 volts per wing for 288 volts total, with a normal operating current of around 160 amps. Consequently, we learned the safety precautions required for working with such gear, which are critical but straight-forward.
Use an insulated wrench when disconnecting battery modules !
Wing-root with batteries removed shows battery tray and
power return lead for batteries.
We practiced removal and re-installation of the main computer, display system, CAN-bus distribution module, charger, motor-controller, hydraulic pump, etc.
Unlike other motor-gliders, the Antares 20E maintains a detailed internal log of operation and critical parameters, and comes equipped with a cell-phone for the computer. The factory can call a plane and download the logs to diagnose problems. We've long had diagnostic technology in all our cars, but its new for motor-gliders !
We learned how to operate the diagnostics locally from a PC, for example detailed monitoring of battery parameters. The diagnostic interface also provides selective operation of the systems (for example, turn on the hydraulics and raise the motor). We practiced operating the systems through this diagnostic interface.
The motor with front fairing removed,
showing power leads, prop-vertical sensor,
and leads for motor-controller position sensor.
The outer part of the motor spins with the prop,
and the only parts subjected to wear are the
bearings.
57 hp in a very small, light, and low-drag installation.
It was an intense 3 days. The Antares 20E contains an impressive amount of engineering to make it simple for the pilot to operate, and to make it straight-forward (if quite different) to maintain. We hope that minimal maintenance will be required, but now we're ready in any case !
For more information on the Antares 20E and the Antares 18S/18T, see:
www.Nadler.com
www.Lange-Flugzeugbau.de