SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race will bring together pioneering pilots and cutting-edge aircraft Oct. 10-15, 2025, at Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport (KSGH), featuring three aircraft across five teams, including two Pipistrel Velis Electros from Lincoln Park Aviation and one BETA Technologies Alia eCTOL.
The race is designed to showcase the capabilities of all-electric aircraft and build public awareness and confidence in the future of sustainable aviation, according to organizers.
Organizers note that the 1925 Pulitzer Trophy Race also began with only a handful of aircraft, before expanding significantly the following year as public interest grew. The same spirit drives this year’s electric race, with organizers saying they envision larger competitions in years to come.
Among those competing will be BETA Technologies pilot Tyler Prather in the Alia eCTOL (for conventional takeoff and landing). BETA has drawn national attention for its successful multi-city test flights and rapid progress in advancing electric aircraft technology, organizers note.
Also competing will be Gloria Bouillon, CEO and founder of Aviatrice Advisors and a commercial pilot, who also serves as the Community Integration Director for the Advanced Air Mobility Institute, which is hosting the race.
“Being part of this race is both a professional milestone and a personal dream,” Bouillon said. “To fly one of the newest and most innovative aircraft in the world, while helping communities see and experience this technology up close, is truly historic. This is about inspiring the public and showing what the future of aviation can look like.”
“The goal is to give communities the opportunity to see, touch, and experience these aircraft firsthand,” Bouillon said. “Much like the early days of aviation, this is a chance to make history and inspire the next generation of pilots and innovators.”
Bouillon will compete as part of Team GG.
Semifinal and final rounds will be held with the three aircraft, providing multiple opportunities for the public to witness the race and learn more about electric aviation.
From the 1920s to the Future
The public is invited to experience a full day of special events free on Oct. 11, beginning at 9 a.m. with team practice flights.
At 10 a.m., visitors can step back in time during the 1920s Experience Flights, featuring vintage aircraft and biplane rides that capture the excitement of aviation’s golden age. Shortly after, at 10:30 a.m., pilots will attempt to set a new world record before the focus shifts to the aircraft of tomorrow.
At 12 p.m., the 2020s Electric Demonstration Flights will showcase cutting-edge electric aviation technology in action, including aircraft developed by leading innovators such as BETA Technologies and Textron/LPA.
These and the 1920s Experience Flights will also be featured on Sunday, Oct. 12, with times adjusted throughout the day.
Throughout the day, visitors can also explore an array of static displays, including the Wright B Flyer “The Valentine,” Sinclair Community College’s Pivotal Blackfly, and model aircraft from C3 Aeronka and TL Aeronka.
Demonstrators and exhibitors will include BETA Alia, Textron/LPA Velis Electro, Goodfolk & O’Tymes Biplane Rides, and RAPPER – Robotic Airborne Platform, POD & Earth Rover (20% scale eVTOL).
Guests can also experience hands-on flying through electric aircraft simulators provided by Joby Aviation and Sinclair Community College, including the Pivotal Blackfly simulator.
STEM Education Day
The Advanced Air Mobility Institute also will host a dedicated STEM Education Day Oct. 10, that includes drone demonstrations showcasing how unmanned aircraft are utilized across various industries and career talks connecting students with professionals in aviation, engineering, and advanced air mobility.
Students will have the chance to participate in a virtual flight challenge replicating the Pulitzer race’s 100-kilometer course. The program, developed in collaboration with flight simulator company XPlane, will allow schools across the nation to virtually race the official Pulitzer route and compete in national rankings for the best time.
To support classroom learning, noun, an educational media collaborative, has created a free curriculum to accompany the simulator challenge. The modules cover aviation history, electric propulsion, and industry careers, and are designed to make technical content accessible to children.
“STEM Education Day is about opening the door for students,” said Advanced Air Mobility Institute Founder and President Dan Sloat. “We want young people to see the excitement of flight, and also the pathways to careers in sustainability, technology, and aerospace that this moment in history represents.”
For more information: PulitzerTrophy.com
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