The Bremerton Aviation Center for Education (BACE), a project of Experimental Aviation Association Chapter 406 at Bremerton National Airport (KPWT), in Washington, rolled out its electric-powered Xenos motor-glider for public debut July 11, 2025.
The glider was built over the last four years by kids and their mentors from the EAA chapter, providing learning opportunities for students of all ages, chapter officials said.
“In association with the Port of Bremerton, we will be able to refuel the Xenos at the first public access electric aircraft charging port in the state of Washington,” chapter officials said, noting the charging port is installed on the ramp at Bremerton National Airport.
On the day of the roll-out the Xenos was taxied up to the ramp recharging port by newly minted pilot Annika Pexton, a regular participant in the twice-weekly building sessions over the last four years and the recipient of a flight training scholarship from the chapter.
“The electricity for charging our Xenos will come from an array of solar panels on the roof of the BACE building donated by Greg Williams of Sunergy,” officials continued.
The battery on board the Xenos allows for around 45 minutes of flight, and then can recharge in about two hours.
“When our EAA chapter flies youngsters for their first introduction to aviation in our Young Eagles program, it will be in a vehicle powered by the sun,” officials said. “What could be cooler than that?”
Congratulations! It’s so cool to see the next generation working hard to innovate and move us away from the status quo! Well done, keep up the great work!
I can already hear the MAY DAY… “I’VE RUN OUT OF JUICE!”
Except it won’t be an emergency since it’s also a glider.
Congratulations to the chapter! The article doesn’t mention it, but this is a fairly small, highly engaged chapter having a significant impact on multiple young people through their building and scholarship programs. We need more grassroots efforts like this to replace our aviation dinosaurs, both human and technology. Well done!
They will not be flying many kids at that rate of recharge. You could however fill a small tank of our wonderful fossil fuel – infinitely renewable – in a few minutes.
Am sure there will be pilots around offering to fly Young Eagles in their aircraft. What this does is open young minds to the possibility of becoming innovators. That’s how it all started many years ago through trial and error. I am glad the chapter members are not only supportive but proactive as well. Congratulations to all!