Nordic Air Racing Team Boasts First Electric Racer Flight

Air Race E has continued its preparation for the upcoming race season with the first test flight of a piloted, all-electric racing airplane. 

The Nordic Air Racing Team, often a frontrunner in the preparations for the series so far, took their racer-in-progress on a 10-minute jaunt at Norway's Tønsberg Airport. The aircraft operated under approval of the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority, allowing the high-performance, freshly completed aircraft to take its initial manned shakedown run. The Test pilot, Rein Inge Hoff, obtained the honor of being the first of his fellow E-Racer pilots to try out his new steed, putting it through its paces. First, Hoff completed slow flight and control tests to ensure the plane behaved as expected, testing out its detuned, 50% output of 121 hp as he brought the plane up to 140 kts. Ultimately, the aircraft is expected to put out around 200 hp in full race output.

Airbus, a founding partner of the race series, has provided extensive assistance to the competing teams with research and development data while developing the aircraft. The effort to create higher performing, sustainable electric running gear dovetails into their green aviation plans.

Another partner of the series, Ansys, has helped with the design of aircraft simulation software, training and consultation for the competing teams in an effort to provide an easy practice and early training solution.

The CEO of Air Race E, Jeff Zaltman, called the flight a watershed moment for the series. "The first-ever flight of our all-electric racing plane is a milestone achievement, both in the development of Air Race E as an international championship and in the progression of wider aviation technology. We are extremely proud of how the Nordic Air Racing Team, with the collaboration of our stakeholders, has accomplished this amazing feat of engineering, even despite the challenges faced over the past year." 

FMI: www.airracee.com