Starting From the Site Of The First EAA Fly-In, An All-Electric Pipistrel Alpha Electro Will Showcase 66 Years Of Progress

In the Fall of 1953, a small but enthusiastic group of pilots and airplane enthusiasts gathered together for what was to become the very first EAA Fly-In -- a minute event in comparison to the massive aviation showcase that now takes place in Oshkosh Wisconsin ... this time for its fiftieth year in that location.

EAA Chapter 18 president, Jeff Point will be sending a congratulatory letter via an all-electric airplane to signify the immense progress sport and general aviation has made in that time -- and to congratulate EAA on its 50th AirVenture Fly-In in Oshkosh.

The message will be carried by Pipistrel USA's Michael Coates, who will be flying a production class Pipistrel Alpha Electro, an all-electric composite airplane that is fast setting new standards for innovative next-generation light aircraft. Coates will depart Milwaukee's Timmerman Field between 1200 and 1300 local time and proceed to Oshkosh on battery power, alone.

Instead of conventional airplane fuel, the Alpha Electro has 277 pounds of LiPo cells, though the water-cooled electric motor weighs under 25 pounds -- much less than the equivalent gasoline engine. It has a useful load of 380 lb, whereas a Cessna 152 has between 350–480 lb. useful load.

Coates’ aircraft will be dispatched from Spring City Aviation, and will proceed North over Rt. 41 until reaching Oshkosh, after one stop en route. The flight is dependent on decent weather conditions and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

The aircraft will stop at the Fond du Lac Skyport, to demonstrate the aircraft’s electric powerplant recharging capability for no more than one hour, and then proceed the rest of the way to Oshkosh’s Wittman Field. The flight from Timmerman to Fond Du Lac should take approximately 40 minutes.

Upon reaching Oshkosh's Wittman Field, approximately two hours after the start of the program, Coates will land in the lightplane area on the Southside of the airport and taxi North to their Oshkosh Display area and deliver Point's letter to EAA President and CEO, Jack Pelton.

(Images provided with Pipistrel USA news release)

FMI: www.pipistrel-usa.com