Panasonic Oxyride Powers the World's First Battery Powered Manned Flight

	
Panasonic Oxyride Batteries Power the World's First Manned Flight; Joint
fforts with the Tokyo Institute of Technology Making History
aking history	


Osaka, Japan, July. 19, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - Panasonic, the brand for
which Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is known, announced today
that its Oxyride dry cell batteries successfully flew a manned airplane
to mark a milestone in the aeronautic history in the world. 

The company, together with the Tokyo Institute of Technology (TIT), has
been working on the Oxyride Dry Cell Manned Flight Project since January
this year. On July 16, the airplane powered by 160 AA-size Oxyride dry
cell batteries flew a distance of 391.4 meters at an altitude of 5.2
meters at Okegawa Airport in Saitama Prefecture on the northern
outskirts of Tokyo. The one-seat airplane, weighing 54 kg with a
wingspan of 31 meters and piloted by a TIT student weighing 53 kg, was
in the air for 59 seconds 

The flight took place in front of officials of the Japan Aeronautic
Association (JAA) to make it an official record, following the rules set
by the JAA. They will further seek official recognition from the
Federonautique Internationale (FAI) as the world's first manned flight
on dry cell batteries.* 

Panasonic embarked on the project, hoping it can create an opportunity
for young people to get interested in science and technology. Panasonic
praises the students - the Wright Brothers of the 21st Century - who
took up the challenge and succeeded in the flight that has never been
attempted before. The Oxyride flight covered a distance longer than 259
meters recorded by the Wright Brothers for the first manned, sustained
flight powered by a gasoline engine back in 1903 in the United States.
The Oxyride flight time, 59 seconds, happens to be the same with the
Wright Brothers' record. 

After successfully completing the official attempt, the students tried
another flight powered by only 96 batteries just for their own record.
The airplane flew a distance of 269 meters at an altitude of 2 meters. 

Panasonic Oxyride battery is a product of breakthroughs in materials and
manufacturing technology. The battery uses oxyhydroxide which releases a
higher initial voltage than traditional alkaline batteries, while
Panasonic's proprietary vacuum-pouring technology allows a higher
quantity of electrolytes to be inserted into the battery. As a result,
the Oxyride battery provides more power and longer-lasting energy.
Oxyride batteries are recommended for high-drain devices that require a
lot of current to run such as digital cameras. Tests have proven that
Oxyride takes twice more photos than regular alkaline batteries.** 

The world's first battery-powered airplane will be on display at JR
Tokyo Station from July 31 to August 6 and at the National Science
Museum in Tokyo from September 15 to 24. 

* As an airplane powered by commercial dry cell battery (as of July 18,
2006) 
** Panasonic Alkaline Plus


About Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Best known by its Panasonic brand name, Matsushita Electric Industrial
Co., Ltd. is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of
electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and
industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded
consolidated net sales of US $81.44 billion for the year ended March 31,
2005. The company's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, New
York , Euronext Amsterdam and Frankfurt stock exchanges. For
more information on the company and the Panasonic brand, visit the
company's website at http://panasonic.net.

For further information, please visit the Matsushita Electric Industrial
Co., Ltd. home page at: www.panasonic.co.jp/global/top.html