Groups that intend to submit an application into the $60,000 Electric Flight Prize at EAA AirVenture 2011 are encouraged to do so at their earliest convenience.
An Initial Application Form, along with the official rules, is available to download at Airventure.org/Electric. Completed applications can be emailed to [email protected]. A maximum of 12 viable candidates from the pool of applications will be selected to compete for the Electric Flight Prize, which will showcase the accomplishments and viability of flight powered exclusively by electricity.
Three flight competitions held during EAA AirVenture 2011, scheduled for July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, along with electric aircraft innovation evaluations, will determine prize recipients. The competitions are open to anyone with an electric-powered aircraft who has flown at least 40 hours and has an airworthiness certificate.
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.
To date, applications for the following aircraft have been submitted:
- CargoAirship, a helium-lift airship with electric power featuring carbon fiber and aluminum framing.
- ElectraFlyer-C, a single-place aircraft that was flown at Oshkosh in 2008.
- ElectraFlyer-X, a two-place aircraft.
- ElectraFlyer-ULS, a single-place ultralight that was flown at Oshkosh in 2007.
- Pipistrel Taurus Electro, the first two-seat aircraft powered by an electric motor to fly in the world.
- Pipistrel Taurus Rapid, a four-place aircraft featuring a 75-foot wingspan.
- Sonex Electric Waiex, a standard Waiex kit aircraft modified with the installation of proprietary e-flight electric power components.
- V-Raptor Electro Flyer, featuring a 20-hp motor and a composite structure.
- Yuneec E-430, a two-place, single-motor light sport aircraft which won the Lindberg Electric Aircraft Prize at EAA AirVenture 2010.
- Yuneec E-1000, a three-place aircraft with a 56-foot wingspan.
The first competition, scheduled for Tuesday, July 26, will test electric aircraft for endurance to determine which aircraft can be kept aloft for the longest period of time. Working with Dynon measuring equipment, each airplane can then enter the time-to-climb competition scheduled for Wednesday, July 27.
The third and final competition, held on Thursday, July 28, will measure the maximum speed of each aircraft. The innovation evaluation will be conducted by representatives of the four companies contributing to the prize. They will reach a consensus on the top three developments in electric flight based on battery, motor, controller and airframe.
Each activity will be scored and plaques will be awarded to the aircraft placing first, second or third in each category. The first place winners in endurance, time-to-climb, maximum speed and innovation will receive $10,000. The overall winner of the Electric Flight Prize, based on the highest cumulative score, will receive $20,000. It is not be necessary to place first in each event to win the overall category.
EAA AirVenture 2011 will also host the second annual World Symposium on Electric Aircraft, on July 29-30, featuring several industry leaders discussing electric propulsion aircraft in an open forum, offering what they envision is the future for this rapidly growing flight segment that is attracting the attention of scientists, engineers, manufacturers, and investors.
For more information: AirVenture.org
