Pfalz E.I

The Pfalz E.I, produced by Pfalz‑Flugzeugwerke in 1915, was one of Germany’s earliest purpose‑built electric aircraft. Developed as a two‑seat trainer and reconnaissance platform, the E.I originated from the firm’s experience constructing licensed copies of the French Farman designs, yet it represented the first indigenous Pfalz effort to integrate a lightweight electric propulsion system. Powered by a 45 kW (60 hp) Siemens-Halske DC electric motor driving a two‑bladed wooden propeller, the aircraft could fly for roughly 45 minutes at a maximum speed of 70 km/h (43 mph). Its wooden frame, clad in fabric, featured a conventional tractor configuration with a forward‑mounted engine, a reinforced under‑carriage for rough airfields, and dual controls for pilot instruction.

Although only a handful were built, the E.I demonstrated the feasibility of electric power in early aviation, influencing later experimental projects and providing valuable data on battery weight, energy consumption, and thermal management. Its quiet operation and lack of exhaust made it suitable for low‑visibility reconnaissance, a novel concept at the time. The Pfalz E.I thus occupies a modest yet pioneering place in aviation history, marking the first step toward the modern electric aircraft movement.