Equator P2 Assembled - Ready to go

Dean Sigler / 2017-03-23

Exciting new pictures from Tomas Brodreskift show that his nearly decade-long project has reached a happy completion. The Equator P2, born in the
mind of a talented industrial designer, seemed like a nice dream when your editor first saw it in renderings. As one would expect from an
accomplished product designer, the aircraft looked wonderful, set in inspiring backgrounds.

A Man, A Plan, An Airplane

As Tomas’ web site explains, In 2008 the two Industrial Design students and pilots Tomas Broedreskift and Oeyvind Berven started work on the new
EQP2 Xcursion, Equator’s first attempt on the light aircraft market. In this start–up phase the Equator team are working on making project
assignments, design briefs, and specified diplomas that can be worked on by students. Therefore we encourage every student with relevant studies
and an aerospace dream to join our efforts and in time become part of the new Equator Team that will ultimately bring amphibian flying to a new
level. Objectively spoken, your fantasy truly is the only limit!”

Tomas with some of the friends and family who made the Equator P2 possible. Photo: Monica Stromdahl
Equator showing off roomy cabin, huge canopy. Photo: Monica Stromdahl

Students did join their efforts, contributing many of the over 12,000 person-hours in turning the renderings into reality. A true home-built aircraft,
the P2 evolved in a garage with minimal tooling and a great deal of work-around cleverness. Volunteers contributed intellectually and practically,
with aerodynamic surface design, mold building, computer simulation and work that led to many bachelors’ degrees and diplomas. The following
video, released three years ago, shows the garage in which this was at least initially executed, and gives a hint of the many talents applied to getting
the details right.

For something started in a simple garage, Equator P2 is a complex and refined machine. Its configuration combines amphibious functionality with
aerodynamic rarefaction. Ergonomically, it looks tempting with its ability to transport two to a distant lake in roomy comfort. Its fly-by-wire controls
and lack of rudder pedals simplify coordination and ease a pilot’s workload.

EHPS (Equator Hybrid Power System)

Recently tested, the power system features an Engiro DMM97 electric drive system with a Wankel Super Tec (WST) KKM 352 multi-Diesel fuel
engine driving an Engiro DMG60 generator that produces 60 kilowatts. This keeps the two kilowatt-hour Kokam battery pack charged that in turn
drives the tail-mounted motor with its custom DUC propeller. All of this is controlled by a single lever in the cockpit, a kind of hybrid FADEC.

Commitment to the Design

To see this futuristic airplane revealed in its mostly original form shows that Tomas’s initial ideas were good. A fringe of cooling inlets around the
trailing edge of the canopy indicates practical considerations addressed by the designers, but does little to spoil the pristine lines of the craft.
Considering the eight-year development time and the issue of being “locked in” to a design once one begins pulling parts from molds, we must
admire the courage and commitment it takes to press ahead with such a project.

With the airplane assembled and the EHPS having been tested, we are impatient to see that this advanced airplane flies as well as it looks. Good luck
to Tomas, his family and friends who’ve made this possible. We were fortunate to have Tomas present his design at the first Sustainable Aviation
Symposium in 2016.

Modularity and redundancy enhance reliability of system

Powerful Hybrid Electric Propulsion (2015)
The novel hybrid propulsion system (EHPS) provides range, fuel efficiency and redundancy with all the benefits of electric power. With a well
designed control management system, the total pilot workload is reduced and higher levels of security are reached.

The P2 Xcursion solves this through 4 independent important factors:

01. FLOATWING
The Floatwing removes the need for external high drag support geometries, and provides high stability.

02. MERGED HULL GEOMETRY

The fuselage has an aerodynamic forward geometry merged with the boat hull further back for minimizing drag on the boat hull section.

03. ELECTRIC MOTOR

The Electric motor gives us smooth aerodynamics, and lower weight at the same time we get all the bulk and weight down in the hull for optimized
stability in water.

04. LAMINAR FLOW

Drag is kept low over all with a laminar flow fuselage, canopy and airfoils.

A High performance flying boat

"We’re solving the age old challenge of creating a flying boat with high performance".

Since the dawn of aviation it has been the dream of so many pilots, to utilize water, but still be able to sustain long range and high speeds at low fuel
consumption. This has never been solved for multiple reasons. Heavy bulky engines on pylons, tails or behind the cabin increases drag, and the
typical necessary support geometries for the water handling ad to the problem...

Perfect balance between utility and performance

Space is key, and the P2 Xcursion was designed with people in mind. Therefore it has a large cockpit and cabin to provide ample opportunities for
the occupants to bring what is needed to explore the places you want to go.

Open and simplified cockpit solution

Simplification and demystification of the flying experience has been one of our main goals. Therefore the small simple console contains what you
need to get the job done in a minimized fashion, to keep your focus where its shoud be; on the outside of the aircraft.

The large canopy gives an unprecedented field of view and allows for you to really feel that you are in fact flying.

The rudder FBW and nose gear DBW, are both experimental technologies, that we believe may make it simpler for the prospective owner and pilot
to learn how to fly. No more hand and foot coordination, here you can put your feet up high and use your hands only for all control inputs.

A special feature when in water, the M97 electric engine is reversed when you pull the throttle all the way back and actuate the wheel brakes. You
can brake and reverse the plane aerodynamically in water, a dream for any seaplane pilot.

A sea rudder is embedded in the rudder itself and when deployed ads control capability.

The air lubrication system is an experimental system designed to lower drag when taking off from water. Air is pumped through tiny holes in the hull
and reduces friction.

The canopy is moved all the way back to ensure you really feel like you are in a boat on water, exiting and entering the aircraft over the nose or
sides, like you would in any small leasure boat.

Details - (Flight related data is theoretical, and are subject to change as we progress with test flights)
REG: LN-EPX
Seats: 2
MTOW: 750kg
Useful Load (dry): 240kg
Max Cruise: 130KTS
Economic Cruise: 118 KTS (20l/h)
Stall: 48KTS / 52KTS w/o FLAPS
Range: 845NM / 1565km
Gear: RETRACTABLE
Material: CARBON / KEVLAR COMPOSITE
Avionics: MGL iEFIS with remote transponder and radio
Propeller: DUC Flash, with custom DUC hub and spinner
Engine: ENGIRO M97 Electric (97 kW water cooled, 32 kgs)
Generator: ENGIRO G60 (60kW, water cooled, 15kgs)
ICE: WST KKM 352 Wankel (57kW) Multi Diesel (45kgs)
Controller: Sevcon size 10 (2pcs, 8kgs per controller, water cooled)
Boost Battery: Custom LiIon pack (6kWh) 32kgs
Test Battery: LiPo pack (18kWh) (separate BMS), 100kgs
EMS: Sevcon & Equator Aircraft custom screen solution
Cooling: Common automotive heat exchangers 4pcs