Gentlemen...Charge Your Batteries! (EAA $60K Electric Flight Prize)

Click pic to go to the EAA page on the Electric Flight Prize

 And ladies too… the EAA’s 2011 $60,000 Electric Flight Prize is for men and women of course, but it’s not for the internal combustion engine - electric only need apply. And if you’ve got a great flying electric airplane (or one in the works) then you’ll wanna be applying to see if you can snag some of that prize money! It’ll all be here before you know too as the deadline for applications is July 1, 2011 and the actual competition will take place during Oshkosh (July 25-31) from Tuesday July 26th thru Friday July 29th. You can get full details and apply via this EAA page on the Electric Flight Prize.

 Electric propulsion systems are advancing rapidly, and a competition like this is sure to help push that advancement along. Only the 12 most viable entrants will qualify to compete for the Electric Flight Prize… and while there might not even be 12 entrants stepping forward, I’m hoping that there are more projects in the works than we might think. This is such a great opportunity for even the little guy to wow the world with some great and innovative ideas. The competitions are open to anyone with an electric powered aircraft who has flown at least 40 hours and has an airworthiness certificate.

 The competition will include four different categories:

Endurance - A timed event to determine which aircraft can stay aloft for the longest time in standard configuration (i.e., without additional battery packs). The clock will start when the aircraft crosses a defined start line, and will end when the pilot taxies across a finish line (locations of start and finish lines will be confirmed at pilot briefing). Competitors will be expected to land with a 10% battery reserve, and anyone unable to taxi across the finish line will be disqualified. All takeoffs will establish aircraft in a racetrack pattern above Wittman Regional Airport at a constant altitude. (Event to be held Tuesday, July 26)

Possible Electric Flight Prize entry? Electric Cessna 172 project from Bye Energy

Time to Climb -  A timed event to determine how much time it takes to climb to 5,000' AGL. Dynon Avionics will provide measuring devices that can be carried by each aircraft to the appropriate altitude. The clock starts when the aircraft is waved off for takeoff. (Event to be held early morning on Wednesday, July 27)

Maximum Speed -  The event will establish an average speed based two passes (one to the north, one to the south) along runway 18/36 at a minimum altitude of 500' AGL. The passes must be flown at level altitude – diving to create an advantage will result in disqualification. (Event to be held prior to the afternoon air show on Thursday, July 28)

Innovation Evaluation - The judges - nominated representatives from AeroLEDs, Aircraft Spruce & Specialty, Dynon Avionics, and Wicks Aircraft Supply - will, by consensus, determine a first-, second- and third-place position to recognize the aircraft that, in their opinion, represent the most significant advancement in electric aircraft design, construction, technology and innovation. All aircraft that have completed at least one of the performance events will be eligible.

Possible Electric Flight Prize entry? Electric Waiex by Sonex Aircraft

 Cash prizes totaling $60,000 will be awarded to the winners of each category as well as the overall winner of the Electric Flight Competition. The prizes and support for the competition comes from Wicks Aircraft Supply, Dynon Avionics, Aircraft Spruce & Specialty and AeroLEDs - four companies highly active in the sport aviation community.

 Lots more info to come on this specific competition as well as some detailed looks at a variety of electric powered aircraft projects already flying and several that are getting close to flying. It’s a pretty exciting time to be working on ways to turn electron flow into aviation induced smiles!

Possible Electric Flight Prize entry? The Elektra One from PC-Aero