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Airbus' electric E-Fan training plane (pictures)

The France-based aircraft maker flew its battery-powered E-Fan over the Farnborough International Airshow. Here's a look.

Stephen Shankland
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
Stephen Shankland
The Airbus E-Fan lands at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK. It's got a central wheel and smaller ones on the wings. The main wheel also can drive the plane more efficiently for taxing and the initial acceleration of takeoff.
1 of 6 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus E-Fan 2.0 lands at Farnborough

The Airbus E-Fan lands at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK. It's got a central wheel and smaller ones on the wings. The main wheel can also drive the plane more efficiently for taxing and the initial acceleration of takeoff.

The Airbus E-Fan 2.0 is a two-seater all-electric plane. Airbus plans to sell it for the pilot-training market starting in late 2017. This model is flying over the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK.
2 of 6 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus E-Fan 2.0 above Farnborough

The Airbus E-Fan 2.0 is a two-seater all-electric plane. Airbus plans to sell it for the pilot-training market starting in late 2017. This model is flying over the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK.

​The Airbus E-Fan 2.0 has dual ducted fans with variable-pitch blades. The ducting improves thrust, decreases noise, and makes the plane safer while people are near it on the ground.
3 of 6 Stephen Shankland/CNET

The Airbus E-Fan 2.0 has dual ducted fans with variable-pitch blades. The ducting improves thrust, decreases noise, and makes the plane safer while people are near it on the ground.

The Airbus E-Fan rests on static display in front of a vastly larger A400M military airlifter at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK.
4 of 6 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus E-Fan 2.0 by A400M

The Airbus E-Fan rests on static display in front of a vastly larger A400M military airlifter at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK.

​  The Airbus E-Fan 2.0 has room for two, but a later 4.0 model will carry four people and will be designed for general aviation, not just training. This prototype is flying over the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK.
5 of 6 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus E-Fan 2.0

The Airbus E-Fan 2.0 has room for two, but a later 4.0 model will carry four people and will be designed for general aviation, not just training. This prototype is flying over the Farnborough International Airshow.

The Airbus E-Fan flying over the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK.
6 of 6 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus E-Fan 2.0 banking

The Airbus E-Fan flying over the Farnborough International Airshow.

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