UNVEILING THE WORLD’S FIRST serial hybrid aircraft. “Based on Diamond Aircraft’s HK36 Super Dimona, the E-Star’s propeller is powered by Siemen’s 70 kW electric motor. A small Wankel engine, supplied by Austro Engine, acts as a generator, supplying juice to the electric motor. Siemens says that fuel consumption is exceptional due to the combustion engine spinning at reduced RPM. An on-board battery pack, provided by EADS, gives the lightweight aircraft a boost in power during takeoffs and climbs. That battery pack is then recharged while cruising. During initial test flights, the DA36 E-Star was airborne for two hours.”