Photo taken on Dec.3, 2015 shows a RX1E electric aircraft just being assembled in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province (Photo/Xinhua)
A type of domestically developed electric aircraft has been put through its paces in low temperature, dispelling fears that the battery may not function properly in extreme cold.
RX1E was developed by the Shenyang Aerospace University and the Liaoning General Aviation Academy and delivered to Liaoning Ruixiang General Aviation Co., Ltd, all in northeastern Liaoning Province.
The company said that the two-seater aircraft went through 76 test flights in the past month.
"The tests were conducted between minus 10 degrees Celsius and minus 37 degrees Celsius," said Zhang Liguo of the company. "There is no need to be concerned about performance in low temperature as the lithium battery has gone through a thermal insulation process."
RX1E has a 14.5-meter wingspan and a maximum payload of 230 kg. It can fly at an altitude of 3,000 meters.
It can fly for 45 minutes on a single charge, which can be completed within two hours. The plane is designed for use in pilot training, tourism, meteorology and rescue operations.
