Award To Be Presented At NASA's Green Flight Challenge

Erik Lindbergh said on the blog of The Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize that the first annual Lindbergh Prize for Quietest Aircraft will be awarded at the NASA Green Flight Challenge being held this week at Charles M. Schulz airport in Santa Rosa California.

"We believe this prize addresses one of the most critical issues facing aviation today - noise," Lindbergh (pictured) wrote.

"General aviation is losing its critical infrastructure (airports) at an alarming rate and noise is one of the biggest reasons. Thanks to a generous donation from Jeannie Schulz we are pleased to offer a $10,000 prize purse to go with this award."

Lindbergh wrote that, as a witness to the birth of the electric aircraft industry, and after watching the Berblinger competition flights in Germany this April and now the NASA Green Flight Challenge ... which offers the largest aviation cash prize in history ... "it is easy to look into the near future and imagine how electric aircraft have the potential to change the way we travel. Simpler, easier to fly and maintain, cheaper… renewable energy… these benefits all address another critical issue facing general aviation – cost."

He said that if the cost barrier to flying an be reduced, it will go a long way toward revitalizing general aviation.

"The first company to produce a certified two seat electric aircraft with a 1.5 hour range will dominate the aviation training market," he said. "Is that company here? In Europe? China? Not sure, but it sure is fun to watch to watch these visionary designers as they are creating the future of flight, and I cant wait to fly one! -Erik"

FMI: http://lindberghprize.org