Watch the First Flight of a Piloted Electric Race Airplane

Historic journey paves the way for high-speed Air Race E series in 2023.

Thom Patterson

Tuesday, February 01, 2022 at 01:36 PM ET

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Pilot Rein Inge Hoff made the historic flight in a converted Cassutt IIIM formula race airplane. [Courtesy Airbus]

Key Takeaways:

Air Race E successfully conducted the first-ever piloted flight of an all-electric race airplane on January 28 in Norway, marking a significant milestone for electric aviation.
The 10-minute test flight by the Nordic Air Racing team paves the way for the world's first electric air race series, Air Race E, which is scheduled to launch in 2023.
The Air Race E series will feature eight electric planes racing head-to-head on a tight circuit at high speeds and is supported by Airbus with the goal of advancing aircraft electrification.

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After years of development and delays, Air Race E has carried out the first piloted flight of an all-electric race airplane.

The 10-minute test flight by the Nordic Air Racing team took place January 28 at Jarlsberg, Norway’s Tønsberg Airport (ENJB). Organizers said it represents a significant breakthrough, not only in the sport of air racing, but across the entire aviation industry.